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CHOICE WORKS OF COOPER. 


EEVISED AND COEKECTED SEEIES. 

WITH 

NEW INTRODUCTIONS, NOTES, ETC. 


VOL. XIV. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 




.jfiimx) ^(0 ^Mim- aotoHo 


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ifCL A-nw; moiVimaufyA 7«*z 


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, . (1HAW3M011 

-.-vr 


HOMEWARD BOUND; 

OR 

THE CHASE. 

A TALE OF THE SEA. 


BY 

J."“ FENIMORE COOPER. 


“ Is ’t not strange, Canidius, 

That from Tarentum and Brundusium, 

He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea, 

And take in Toryne ?” 

SlIAKSPEABB. 


* • 
• t ** 
a 




< 


COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. 

WITH THE LATEST REVISION AND CORRECTIONS OF THE AUTHOR.. 


NEW YOEK: 

STRINGER & TOWNSEND. 

1856 . 


?I3 

Q.1"sl> 

rl cttto 

r 


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
STRINGER & TOWNSEND, 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 

District of New York. 


> f 

■ I 



R. C. Valentine, Stereotyper. , ^ r, 

’ tt'i. 

J. F. Trow, Printer. A ^ 


PREFACE. 


In one respect, this book is a parallel to Franklin’s 
well-known apologue of the hatter and his sign. It 
was commenced with a sole view to exhibit the pres- 
ent state of society in the United States, through the 
agency, in part, of a set of characters with different 
peculiarities, who had freshly arrived from Europe, and 
to whom the distinctive features of the country would 
be apt to present themselves with greater force, than 
to those who had never lived beyond the influence of 
the things portrayed. By the original plan, the work 
was to open at the threshold of the country, or with 
the arrival of the travellers at Sandy Hook, from 
which point the tale was to have been carried regu- 
larly forward to its conclusion. But a consultation 
with others has left little more of this plan than the 
hatter’s friends left of his sign. As a vessel was intro- 
duced in the first chapter, the cry was for “ more ship,” 
until the work has become “all ship;” it actually 
closing at, or near, the spot where it was originally 
intended it should commence. Owing to this diversion 
from the author’s design — a design that lay at the bot- 
tom of all his projects — a necessity has been created of 


6 


PREFACE. 


running the tale through two separate works, or of 
making a hurried and insuflScient conclusion. The 
former scheme has, consequently, been adopted. 

It is hoped that the interest of the narrative will not 
be essentially diminished by this arrangement. 

There will be, very likely, certain imaginative per- 
sons, who will feel disposed to deny that every minute 
event mentioned ill these volumes ever befell one and 
the same ship, though ready enough to admit that they 
may very well have occurred to several different ships ; 
a mode of commenting that is much in favor with 
your small critic. To this objection, we shall make 
but a single answer. The caviller, if any there should 
prove to be, is challenged to produce the log-book of 
the Montauk London packet, and if it should be found 
to contain a single sentence to controvert any one of 
our statements or facts, a frank recantation shall be 
made. Captain Truck is quite as well known in Hew 
York as in London or Portsmouth, and to him also we 
refer with confidence, for a confirmation of all we have 
said, with the exception, perhaps, of the little occa- 
sional touches of character that may allude directly to 
himself. In relation to the latter, Mr. Leach, and par- 
ticularly Mr. Saunders, are both invoked as unimpeach- 
able witnesses. 

Most of our readers will probably know that all 
which appears in a Hew York journal is not necessa- 
rily as true as the Gospel. As some slight deviations 
from the facts accidentally occur, though doubtless at 
very long intervals, it should not be sui’prising that 
they sometimes omit circumstances that are quite as 
veracious as any thing they do actually utter to the 
world. Ho argument, therefore, can justly be urged 


PREFACE. 




against the incidents of this story, on account of the 
circumstance of their not being embodied in the regu- 
lar marine news of the day. 

Another serious objection on the part of the Ameri- 
can reader to this work is foreseen. The author has 
endeavored to interest his readers in occurrences of a 
date as antiquated as two years can make them, when 
he is quite aware, that, in order to keep pace with a 
state of society in which there was no yesterday, it 
would have been much safer to anticipate things, by 
laying his scene two years in advance. It is hoped, 
however, that the public sentiment will not be out- 
raged by this glimpse at antiquity, and this the more 
so, as the sequel of the tale will bring down events 
within a year of the present moment. 

Previously to the appearance of that seuqel, how- 
ever, it may be well to say a few words concerning the 
fortunes of some of our characters^ as it might be en 
attendant. 

To commence with the most important: the Mon- 
tauk herself, once deemed so “splendid” and con- 
venient, is already supplanted in the public favor by a 
new ship ; the reign of a popular packet, a popular 
preacher, or a popular anything-else, in America, being 
limited, by a national esjprit de corps^ to a time mate- 
rially shorter than that of a lustre. This, however, is 
no more than just ; rotation in favor being as evidently 
a matter of constitutional necessity, as rotation in office. 

Captain Truck, for a novelty, continues popular, a 
circumstance that he himself ascribes to the fact of his 
being still a bachelor. 

Toast is promoted, figuring at the head of a pantry 
quite equal to that of his great master, who regards 


8 


PREFACE. 


his improvement with some such eyes as Charles the 
Twelfth of Sweden regarded that of his great rival 
Peter, after the affair of Pultowa. 

Mr. Leach now smokes his own cigar, and issues his 
own orders from a monkey rail, his place in the line 
being supplied by his former “ Dickey.’^ He already 
speaks of his great model, as of one a little antiquated, 
it is true, but as a man who had merit in his time, 
though it was not the particular merit that is in fashion 
to-day. 

^Notwithstanding these little changes, which are per- 
haps inseparable from the events of a period so long as 
two years in a country so energetic as America, and in 
which nothing seems to be stationary but the ages of 
Tontine nominees and three-life leases, a cordial esteem 
was created among the principal actors in the events 
of this book, which is likely to outlast the passage, and 
which will not fail to bring most of them together 
again in the sequel. 

April, 1838 . 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER I. 

“ An inner room I have, 

Where thou shalt rest and some refreshment take, 

And then we will more full;^talk of this.” 

Obea. 

The coast of England, though infinitely finer than our own, 
is more remarkable for its verdure, and for a general appearance 
of civilization than for its natural beauties. The chalky cliffs 
may seem bold and noble to the American, though compared 
to the granite piles that buttress the Mediterranean they are 
but molehills ; and the travelled eye seeks beauties instead, in 
the retiring vales, the leafy hedges, and the clustering towns 
that dot the teeming island. ISTeither is Portsmouth a very fa- 
vorable specimen of a British port, considered solely in reference 
to the picturesque. A town situated on a humble point, and 
fortified after the manner of the Low Countries, with an excel- 
lent haven, suggests more images of the useful than of the 
pleasing; while a background of modest receding hills ofiers 
little beyond the verdant swales of the country. In this respect 
England itself has the fresh beauty of youth, rather than the 
mellowed hues of a more advanced period of life ; or it might 
be better to say, it has the young freshness and retiring sweet- 
ness that distinguish her females, as compared with the warmer 
tints of Spain and Italy, and which, women and landscape alike, 
need the near view to be appreciated. 

Some such thoughts as these passed through the mind of the 
1 '^ 


10 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


traveller who stood on the deck of the packet Montauk, resting 
an elbow on the quarter-deck rail, as he contemplated the view 
of the coast that stretched before him, east and west, for leagues. 
The manner in which this gentleman, whose temples were 
sprinkled with gray hairs, regarded the scene, denoted more of 
the thoughtfulness of experience, and of tastes improved by 
observation, than it is usual to meet amid the bustling and 
common-place characters that compose the majority in almost 
every situation of life. The calmness of his exterior, an air 
removed equally from the admiration of the novice and the 
"superciliousness of the tyro, had, indeed, so strongly distin- 
guished him from the moment he embarked in London to that 
in which he was now seen in flie position mentioned, that several 
of the seamen swore he was a man-of-war’s-man in disguise. 
The fair-haired, lovely, blue-eyed girl at his side, too, seemed a 
softened reflection of all his sentiment, intelligence, knowledge, 
tastes, and cultivation, united to the artlessness and simplicity 
that became her sex and years. 

“We have seen nobler coasts. Eve,” said the gentleman, 
pressing the arm that leaned on his own ; “ but, after all, Eng- 
land will always be fair to American eyes.” 

“ More particularly so if those eyes first opened to the light 
in the eighteenth century, father.” 

“You, at least, my child, have been educated beyond the 
reach of national foibles, whatever may have been my own evil 
fortune ; and still, I think even you have seen a great deal to 
admire in this country, as well as in this coast.” 

Eve Effingham glanced a moment towards the eye of her 
father, and perceiving that he spoke in playfulness, without suf- 
fering a cloud to shadow a countenance that usually varied with 
her emotions, she continued the discourse, which had, in fact, 
only been resumed by the remark first mentioned. 

“ I have been educated, as it is termed, in so many different 
places and countries,” returned Eve, smiling, that I sometimes 
fancy I was born a woman, like my great predecessor and name- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


11 


sake, the mother of Abel. If a congress of nations, in the way 
of masters, can make one independent of prejudice, I may claim 
to possess the advantage. My greatest fear is, that in acquiring 
liberality, I have acquired nothing else.” 

Mr. Effingham turned a look of parental fondness, in which 
parental pride was clearly mingled, on the face of his daughter, 
and said with his eyes, though his tongue did not second the 
expression, “ This is a fear, sweet one, that none besides thyself 
would feel.” 

“ A congress of nations, truly !” muttered another male voice 
near the father and daughter. “ You have been taught music 
in general, by seven masters of as many different states, besides 
the touch of the guitar by a S|^niard ; Greek by a German ; 
the living tongues by the European powers ; and philosophy by 
seeing the world ; and now, with a brain full of learning, fingers 
full of touches, eyes full of tints, and a person full of grace, your 
father is taking you back to America, to ‘ waste your sweetness 
on the desert air.’ ” 

“ Poetically expressed, if not justly imagined, cousin Jack,” 
returned the laughing Eve ; “ but you have forgot to add, and a 
heart full of feeling for the land of my birth.” 

“ We shall see, in the end.” 

“ In the end, as in the beginning, now and for evermore.” 

“ All love is eternal in the commencement.” 

“ Do you make no allowance for the constancy of woman ? 
Think you that a girl of twenty can forget the country of her 
birth, the land of her forefathers— or, as you call it yourself 
when in a good humor, the land of liberty ?” 

“ A pretty specimen you will have of its liberty !” returned 
the cousin, sarcastically. “ After having passed a girlhood of 
wholesome restraint in the rational society of Europe, you are 
about to return home to the slavery of American female life, 
just as you are about to be married !” 

“ Married ! Mr. Effingham ? 

“ I suppose the catastrophe will arrive, sooner or later ; and 


12 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


it is more likely to occur to a girl of twenty than to a girl 
of ten.” 

“ Mr. John Eflfingliam never lost an argument for the want 
of a convenient fact, my love,” the father observed, by way of 
bringing the brief discussion to a close. “ But here are the 
boats approaching ; let us withdraw a little, and examine the 
chance medley of faces with which we are to become familiar 
by the intercourse of a month.” 

“ You will be much more likely to agree on a verdict of mur- 
der,” muttered the kinsman. 

Mr. Effingham led his daughter into the hurricane-house — or, 
as the packet-men quaintly term it, the coacA-house, where they 
stood watching the movements on the quarter-deck for the next 
half hour ; an interval of which we shall take advantage to 
touch in a few of the stronger lights of our picture, leaving the 
softer tints and the shadows to be discovered by the manner in 
which the artist “ tells the story.” 

Edward and John Effingham were brothers’ children ; were 
born on the same day ; had passionately loved the same woman, 
who had preferred the first named, and died soon after Eve was 
born ; had, notwithstanding this collision in feeling, remained 
sincere friends, and this the more so, probably, from a mutual 
and natural sympathy in their common loss ; had lived much 
together at home, and travelled much together abroad, and were 
now about to return in company to the land of their birth, after 
what might be termed an absence of twelve years ; though both 
had visited America for short periods in the intervals, — John 
not less than five times. 

There was a strong family likeness between the cousins, their 
persons and even features being almost identical ; though it was 
scarcely possible for two human beings to leave more opposite 
impressions on mere casual spectators when seen separately. 
Both were tall, of commanding presence, and handsome ; while 
one was winning in appearance, and the other, if not positively 
forbidding, at least distant and repulsive. The noble outline 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


13 


of face in Edward Effingham had got to be cold severity in that 
of John ; the aquiline nose of the latter, seeming to possess an 
eagle-like and hostile curvature, — his compressed lip, sarcastic 
and cold expression, and the fine classical chin, a feature in 
which so many of the Saxon race fail, a haughty scorn that 
caused strangers usually to avoid him. Eve drew with great 
facility and truth ; and she had an eye, as her cousin had rightly 
said, “ full of tints.” Often and often had she sketched both of 
these loved faces, and never without wondering wherein that 
strong difierence existed in nature which she had never been 
able to impart to her drawing’s. The truth is, that the subtle 
character of John Effingham’s face would have puzzled the skill 
of one who had made the art his ^tudy for a life, and it utterly 
set the graceful but scarcely profound knowledge of the beautiful 
young painter at defiance. All the points of character that 
rendered her father so amiable and so winning, and which were 
rather felt than perceived, in his cousin were salient and bold, 
and if it may be thus expressed, had become indurated by 
mental suffering and disappointment. 

The cousins were both rich, though in ways as opposite as 
their dispositions and habits of thought. Edward Effingham 
possessed a large hereditary property, that brought a good in- 
come, and which attached him to this world of ours by kindly 
feelings towards its land and water; while John, much the 
wealthier of the two, having inherited a large commercial for- 
tune, did not own ground enough to bury him. As he some- 
times deridingly said, he “ kept his gold in corporations, that 
were as soulless as himself.” 

Still, John Effingham was a man of cultivated mind, of ex- 
tensive intercourse with the world, and of manners that varied 
with the occasion ; or perhaps it were better to say, with his 
humors. In all these particulars but the latter the cousins 
were alike ; Edward Effingham’s deportment being as equal as 
his temper, though he was also distinguished for a knowledge 
of society. 


14 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


These gentlemen had embarked at London, on their fiftieth 
birthday, in the packet of the 1st of October, bound to New 
York; the lands and family residence of the proprietor lying 
in the state of that name, of which all of the parties were na- 
tives. It is not usual for the cabin passengers of the London 
packets to embark in the docks ; but Mr. Effingham, — as we 
shall call the father in general, to distinguish him from the 
bachelor, John, — as an old and experienced traveller, had deter- 
mined to make his daughter familiar with the peculiar odors 
of the vessel in smooth water, as a protection against sea-sick- 
ness ; a malady, however, from which she proved to be singu- 
larly exempt in the end. They had, accordingly, been on 
board three days, when the ship came to an anchor ofif Ports- 
mouth, the point where the remainder of the passengers were 
to join her on that particular day when the scene of this tale 
commences. 

At this precise moment, then, the Montauk was lying at a 
single anchor, not less than a league from the land, in a flat 
calm, with her three topsails loose, the courses in the brails, 
and with all those signs of preparation about her that are so 
bewildering to landsmen, but which seamen comprehend as 
clearly as words. The captain had no other business there 
than to take on board the wayfarers, and to renew his supply 
of fresh meat and vegetables ; things of so familiar import on 
shore as to be seldom thought of until missed, but which swell 
into importance during a passage of a month’s duration. Eve 
had employed her three days of probation quite usefully, having, 
with the exception of the two gentlemen, the officers of the 
vessel, and one other person, been in quiet possession of all the 
ample, not to say luxurious cabins. It is true, she had a female 
attendant ; but to her she had been accustomed from child- 
hood, and Nanny Sidley, as her quondam nurse and actual 
lady’s-maid was termed, appeared so much a part of herself, 
that, while her absence would be missed almost as greatly as 
that of a limb, her presence was as much a matter of course as 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


15 


a hand or foot. Nor will a passing word concerning this ex- 
cellent and faithful domestic be thrown away, in the brief 
preliminary explanations we are making. 

Ann Sidley was one of those excellent creatures who, it is 
the custom with the European travellers to say, do not exist at 
all in America, and who, while they are certainly less numerous 
than could be wished, have no superiors in the world, in their 
way. She had been born a servant, lived a servant, and was 
quite content to die a servant, — and this, too, in one and the 
same family. We shall not enter into a philosophical exami- 
nation of the reasons that had induced old Ann to feel certain 
she was in the precise situation to render her more happy than 
any other that to her was attainable ; but feel it she did, as 
John Effingham used to express it, “ from the crown of her 
head to the sole of her foot.” She had passed through infancy, 
childhood, girlhood, up to womanhood, jpari passu^ with the 
mother of Eve, having been the daughter of a gardener, who 
died in the service of the family, and had heart enough to feel 
that the mixed relations of civilized society, when properly 
understood and appreciated, are more pregnant of happiness 
than the vulgar scramble and heart-burnings, that, in the mUee 
of a migrating and unsettled population, are so injurious to the 
grace and principles of American life. At the death of Eve’s 
mother, she had transferred her affections to the child ; and 
twenty years of assiduity and care had brought her to feel as 
much tenderness for her lovely young charge as if she had been 
her natural parent. But Nanny Sidley was better fitted to care 
for the body than the mind of Eve ; and when, at the age of 
ten, the latter was placed under the control of an accomplished 
governess, the good woman had meekly and quietly sunk the 
duties of the nurse in those of the maid. 

One of the severest trials — or “ crosses,” as she herself term- 
ed it — that poor Nanny had ever experienced, was endured 
when Eve began to speak in a language she could not herself 
comprehend ; for, in despite of the best intentions in the world. 


16 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


and twelve years of use, the good woman could never mate 
any thing of the foreign tongues her young charge was so 
rapidly acquiring. One day, when Eve had been maintaining 
an animated and laughing discourse in Italian with her in- 
structress, Nanny, unable to command herself, had actually 
caught the child to her bosom, and, bursting into tears, im- 
plored her not to estrange herself entirely from her poor old 
nurse. The caresses and solicitations of Eve soon brought the 
good woman to a sense of her weakness ; but the natural feel- 
ing was so strong, that it required years of close observation to 
reconcile her to the thousand excellent qualities of Mademoi- 
selle Viefville, the lady to whose superintendence the education 
of Miss Effingham had been finally confided. 

This Mademoiselle Yiefville was also among the passengers, 
and was the one other person who now occupied the cabins in 
common with Eve and her friends. She was the daughter of a 
French officer who had fallen in Napoleon’s campaigns, had 
been educated at one of those admirable establishments which 
form points of relief in the ruthless history of the conqueror, 
and had now lived long enough to have educated two young 
persons, the last of whom was Eve Effingham. Twelve years 
of close communion with her ^Veve had created sufficient at- 
tachment to cause her to yield to the solicitations of the father 
to accompany his daughter to America, and to continue with 
her during the first year of her probation, in a state of society 
that the latter felt must be altogether novel to a young woman 
educated as his own child had been. 

So much has been written and said of French governesses, 
that we shall not anticipate the subject, but leave this lady to 
speak and act for herself in the course of the narrative. Neither 
is it our intention to be very minute in these introductory re- 
marks concerning any of our characters; but having thus 
traced their outlines, we shall return again to the incidents as 
they occurred, trusting to make the reader better acquainted 
with all the parties as we proceed. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


17 


CHAPTER II. 

“ Lord Cram and Lord Vultur, 

Sir Brandish O’Cultur, 

With Marshall Carouzer, 

And old Lady Mouser.” 

Bath Gdidb. 

The assembling of tbe passengers of a packet-sbip is at all 
times a matter of interest to the parties concerned. During the 
western passage in particular, which can never safely be set 
down at less than a month, there is the prospect of being shut 
up for the whole of that period, within the narrow compass of 
a ship, with those whom chance has brought together, in- 
fluenced by all the accidents and caprices of personal character, 
and a difference of nations, conditions in life, and education. 
The quarter-deck, it is true, forms a sort of local distinction, 
and the poor creatures in the steerage seem the rejected of 
Providence for the time being; but all who know life will 
readily comprehend that the pUe-mUe of the cabins can seldom 
offer any thing very enticing to people, of refinement and taste. 
Against this evil, however, there is one particular source of 
relief ; most persons feeling a disposition to yield to the circum- 
stances in which they are placed, with the laudable and con- 
venient desire to render others comfortable, in order that they 
may be made comfortable themselves. 

A man of the world and a gentleman, Mr. Effingham had 
looked forward to this passage with a good deal of concern, 
on account of his daughter, while he shrank with the sen- 
sitiveness of his habits from the necessity of exposing one of her 


18 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


delicacy and plastic simplicity to the intercourse of a ship. 
Accompanied by Mademoiselle Viefville, watched over by 
Nanny, and guarded by himself and his kinsman, he had lost 
some of his apprehensions on the subject during the three 
probationary days, and now took his stand in the centre 
of his own party to observe the new ariivals, with something 
of the security of a man who is intrenched in his own door- 
way. 

The place they occupied, at a window of the hurricane-house, 
did not admit of a view of the water ; but it was sufficiently 
evident from the preparations in the gangway next the land, 
that boats were so near as to render that unnecessary. 

“ Genus^ cockney ; species^ bagman,” muttered John Effing- 
ham, as the first arrival touched the deck. “ That worthy has 
merely exchanged the basket of a coach for the deck of a 
packet ; we may now learn the price of buttons.” 

It did not require a naturalist to detect the species of the 
stranger, in truth ; though John Effingham had been a little 
more minute in his description than was warranted by the fact. 
The person in question was one of those mercantile agents that 
England scatters so profusely over the world, some of whom 
have all the most sterling qualities of their nation, though a 
majority, perhaps, are a little disposed to mistake the value of 
other people as well as their own. This was the genus^ as 
John Effingham had expressed it ; but the species will best 
appear on dissection. The master of the ship saluted this 
person cordially, and as an old acquaintance, by the name of 
Monday. 

“ A mousquetaire resuscitated,” said Mademoiselle Viefville, 
in her broken English, as one who had come in the same boat 
as the first-named thrust his whiskered and mustachoed visage 
above the rail of the gangway. 

“ More probably a barber, who has converted his own head 
into a wig-block,” growled John Effingham. 

“It cannot, surely, be Wellington in disguise !” added Mr. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


19 


Effingham, with a sarcasm of manner that was quite unusual 
for him. 

“ Or a peer of the realm in his robes !” whispered Eve, who 
was much amused with the elaborate toilet of the subject of 
their remarks, who descended the ladder supported by a sailor, 
and, after speaking to the master, was formally presented to 
his late boat-companion, as Sir George Templemore. The two 
bustled together about the quarter-deck for a few minutes, 
using eye-glasses, which led them into several scrapes, by caus- 
ing them to hit their legs against sundry objects they might 
otherwise have avoided, though both were much too high-bred 
to betray feelings — or fancied they were, which answered the 
same purpose. 

After these flourishes, the new-comers descended to the cabin 
in company, not without pausing to survey the party in the 
hurricane-house, more especially Eve, who, to old Ann’s great 
scandal, was the subject of their manifest and almost avowed 
admiration and observation. 

“ One is rather glad to have such a relief against the tedious- 
ness of a sea-passage,” said Sir George as they went down the 
ladder. “No doubt you are used to this sort of thing, Mr. 
Monday ; but with me, it is voyage the flrst, — that is, if I ex- 
cept the Channel and the seas one encounters in making the 
usual run on the Continent.” 

“ Oh, dear me 1 I go and come as regularly as the equinoxes. 
Sir George, which you know is quite, in rule, once a year. I 
call my passages the equinoxes, too, for I religiously make it a 
practice to pass just twelve hours out of the twenty-four in my 
berth.” 

This was the last the party on deck heard of the opinions of 
the two worthies, for the time being ; nor would they have 
been favored with all this, had not Mr. Monday what he thought 
a rattling way with him, which caused him usually to speak in 
an octave above every one else. Although their voices were 
nearly mute, or rather lost to those above, they were heard 


20 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


knocking about in their staterooms ; and Sir George, in par- 
ticular, as frequently called out for the steward, by the name 
of “ Saunders,” as Mr. Monday made similar appeals to the 
steward’s assistant for succor, by the appropiate appellation of 
“ Toast.” 

“ I think we may safely claim this person, at least, for a 
countryman,” said John Effingham : “ he is what I have heard 
termed an American in a European mask.” 

“ The character is more ambitiously conceived than skilfully 
maintained,” replied Eve, who had need of all her retenue of 
manner to abstain from laughing outright. “ Were I to hazard 
a conjecture, it would be to describe the gentleman as a collector 
of costumes, who had taken a fancy to exhibit an assortment 
of his riches on his own person. Mademoiselle Viefville, you, 
who* so well understand costumes, may tell us from what coun- 
tries the separate parts of that attire have been collected ?” 

“ I can answer for the shop in Berlin where the travelling 
cap was purchased,” returned the amused governess ; “ in no 
other part of the world can a parallel be found.” 

“ I should think, ma’am,” put in ISTanny, with the quiet sim- 
plicity of her nature as well as of her habits, “ that the gentle- 
man must have bought his boots in Paris, for they seem to pinch 
his feet, and all the Paris boots and shoes pinch one’s feet, — at 
least, all mine did.” 

“ The watch-guard is stamped ‘ Geneva,’ ” continued Eve. 

“ The coat comes from Frankfort : c^est une equivoque'^ 

“ And the pipe from Dresden, Mademoiselle Viefville.” 

“ The conchiglia savors of Rome, and the little chain annexed 
bespeaks the Rialto ; while the moustaches are any thing but 
indigenes^ and the tout ensemble the world : the man is travelled, 
at least.” 

Eve’s eyes sparkled with humor as she said this : while the 
new passenger, who had been addressed as Mr. Dodge, and as 
an old acquaintance also, by the captain, came so near them 
as to admit of no further comments. A short conversation be- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


21 


tween the two soon let the listeners into the secret that the 
traveller had come from America in the spring, whither, after 
having made the tour of Europe, he was about to return in the 
autumn. 

“ Seen enough, ha !” added the captain, with a friendly nod 
of the head, when the other had finished a brief summary of 
his proceedings in the eastern hemisphere. “ All eyes, and no 
leisure or inclination for more 

“ I’ve seen as much as I wamt to see,” returned the trav- 
eller, with an emphasis on^ and a pronunciation of^ the word 
we have italicised, that cannot be committed to paper, but which 
were eloquence itself on the subject of self-satisfaction and self- 
knowledge. 

“ Well, that is the main point. When a man has got all 
he wants of a thing, any addition is like over-ballast. When- 
ever I can get fifteen knots out of the ship, I make it a point 
to be satisfied, especially under close-reefed topsails and on a 
taut bow-line.” 

The traveller and the master nodded their heads at each other, 
like men who understood more than they expressed ; when the 
former, after inquiring with marked interest if his room-mate. 
Sir George Templemore, had arrived, went below. An inter- 
course of three days had established something like an acquaint- 
ance between the latter and the passengers she had brought 
from the River, and turning his red quizzical face towards the 
ladies, he observed with inimitable gravity — 

“ There is nothing like understanding when one has enough, 
even if it be of knowledge. I never yet met with the navigator 
who found two ‘ noons’ in the same day, that he was not in 
danger of shipwreck. Now I dare say, Mr. Dodge there, who 
has just gone below, has, as he says, seen all he warnts to see, 
and it is quite likely he knows more already than he can cleverly 
get along with. Let the people be getting the booms on the 
yards, Mr. Leach ; we shall be warnting to spread our wings 
before the end of the passage.” 


22 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


As Captain Truck, though he often swore, seldom laughed, 
his mate gave the necessary order with a gravity equal to that 
with which it had been delivered to him ; and even the sailors 
went aloft to execute it with greater alacrity for an indulgence 
of humor that was peculiar to their trade, and which, as few 
understood it so well, none enjoyed so much as themselves. As 
the homeward-bound crew was the same as the outward-bound, 
and Mr. Dodge had come abroad quite as green as he was now 
going home ripe, this traveller of six months’ finish did not 
escape divers commentaries that literally cut him up “ from 
clew to ear-ring,” and which fiew about in the rigging much as 
active birds flutter from branch to branch in a tree. The sub- 
ject of all this wit, however, remained profoundly, not to say 
happily, ignorant of the sensation he had produced, being oc- 
cupied in disposing of the Dresden pipe, the Venetian chain, 
and the Roman cmchiglia in his stateroom, and in “ instituting 
an acquaintance,” as he expressed it, with his room-mate. Sir 
George Templemore. 

“We must surely have something better than this,” observed 
Mr. Effingham, “ for I observed that two of the staterooms in the 
main cabin are taken singly.” 

In order that the general reader may understand this, it may 
be well to explain that the packet-ships have usually two berths 
in each stateroom, but they who can afibrd to pay an extra 
charge are permitted to occupy the little apartment singly. It 
is scarcely necessary to add, that persons of gentlemanly feel- 
ing, when circumstances will at all permit, prefer economizing 
in other things in order to live by themselves for the month 
usually consumed in the passage, since in nothing is refine- 
ment more plainly exhibited than in the reserve of personal 
habits. 

“ There is no lack of vulgar fools stirring with full pockets,” 
rejoined John Effingham: “the two rooms you mention may 
have been taken by some ‘ yearling’ travellers, who are little 
better than the semi-annual savant who has just passed us.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


23 


“ It is at least something^ cousin J ack, to have the wishes of 
a gentleman.” 

“ It is something^ Eve, though it end in wishes, or even in 
caricature.” 

“ What are the . names ?” pleasantly asked Mademoiselle 
Viefville ; “the wames may be a clue to the characters.” 

“ The papers pinned to the bed-curtains bear the antithetical 
titles of Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt ; though it is quite probable 
the first is wanting of a letter or two by accident, and the last 
is merely a synonym of the old nom de guerre ‘ Cash.’ ” 

“ Do persons, then, actually travel with borrowed names, in 
our days ?” asked Eve, with a little of the curiosity of the com- 
mon mother whose name she bore. 

“ That do they, and with borrowed money too, as well as in 
other days. I dare say, however, these two co-voyagers of ours 
will come just as they are, in truth. Sharp enough, and Blunt 
enough.” 

“ Are they Americans, think you ?” 

“ They ought to be ; both the qualities being thoroughly in- 
digenes^ as Mademoiselle Viefville would say.” 

“ Nay, cousin John, I will bandy words with you no longer ; 
for the last twelve months you have done little else than try to 
lessen the joyful anticipations with which I return to the home 
of my childhood.” 

“ Sweet one, I would not willingly lessen one of thy young 
and generous pleasures by any of the alloy of my own bitter- 
ness ; but what wilt thou? A little preparation for that which 
is as certain to follow as that the sun succeeds the dawn, will 
rather soften the disappointment thou art doomed to feel.” 

Eve had only time to cast a look of affectionate gratitude 
towards him, — for whilst he spoke tauntingly, he spoke with a 
feeling that her experience from childhood had taught her to 
appreciate, — ere the arrival of another boat drew the common 
attention to the gangway. A call from the officer in attendance 
had brought the captain to the rail ; and his order to “ pass in 


24 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the luggage of Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt,” was heard by all 
near. 

“ Now for les indig enes'’’ whispered Mademoiselle Viefville, 
with the nervous excitement that is a little apt to betray a 
lively expectation in the gentler sex. 

Eve smiled ; for there are situations in which trifles help to 
awaken interest, and the little that had just passed served to 
excite curiosity in the whole party. Mr. EflSngham thought it 
a favorable symptom that the master, who had had interviews 
with all his passengers in London, walked to the gangway to 
receive the new-comers ; for a boat-load of the quarter-deck oi 
polloi had come on board a moment before without any other 
notice on his part than a general bow, with the usual order to 
receive their effects. 

“The delay denotes Englishmen,” the caustic John had time 
to throw in, before the silent arrangement of the gangway was 
interrupted by the appearance of the passengers. 

The quiet smile of Mademoiselle Viefville, as the two travel- 
lers appeared on deck, denoted approbation, for her practised 
eye detected at a glance that both were certainly gentlemen. 
Women are more purely creatures of convention in their way 
than men, their education inculcating nicer distinctions and 
discriminations than that of the other sex ; and Eve, who would 
have studied Sir George Templemore and Mr. Dodge as she 
would have studied the animals of a caravan, or as creatures 
with whom she had no affinities, after casting a sly look of 
curiosity at the two who now appeared on deck, unconsciously 
averted her eyes, like a well-bred young person in a drawing- 
room. 

“ They are indeed English,” quietly remarked Mr. Effingham ; 
“ but, out of question, English gentlemen.” 

“The one nearest appears to me to be Continental,” an- 
swered Mademoiselle Viefville, who had not felt the same im- 
pulse to avert her look as Eve; “he jamais Anglais P' 

Eve stole a glance in spite of herself, and with the intuitive 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


25 


penetration of a woman, intimated that she had come to the 
same conclusion. The two strangers were both tall, and de- 
cidedly gentleman-like young men, whose personal appearance 
would cause either to be remarked. The one whom the cap- 
tain addressed as Mr. Sharp had the most youthful look, his 
complexion being florid, and his hair light ; though the other 
was altogether superior in outline of features as well as in ex- 
pression : indeed. Mademoiselle Viefville fancied she never saw 
a sweeter smile than that he gave on returning the salute of 
the deck ; there was more than the common expression of sua- 
vity and of the usual play of features in it, for it struck her as 
being thoughtful and almost melancholy. His companion was 
gracious in his manner, and perfectly well toned ; but his de- 
meanor had less of the soul of the man about it, partaking more 
of the training of the social caste to which it belonged. These 
may seem to be nice distinctions for the circumstances ; but 
Mademoiselle Viefville had passed her life in good company, 
and under responsibilities that had rendered observation and 
judgment highly necessary, and particularly observations of the 
other sex. 

Each of the strangers had a servant ; and while their lug- 
gage was passed up from the boat, they walked aft nearer to the 
hurricane-house, accompanied by the captain. Every Ameri- 
can, who is not very familiar with the world, appears to pos- 
sess the mania of introducing. Captain Truck was no excep- 
tion to the rule ; for, while he was perfectly acquainted with 
a ship, and knew the etiquette of the quarter-deck to a 
hair, he got into blue water the moment he approached the 
finesse of deportment. He was exactly of that school of elegants 
who fancy drinking a glass of wine with another, and introdu- 
cing, are touches of breeding ; it being altogether beyond his 
comprehension that both have especial uses, and are only to be 
resorted to on especial occasions. Still, the worthy master, who 
had begun life on the forecastle, without any previous knowl- 
edge of usages, and who had imbibed the notion that “ man- 

2 


26 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ners make the man,” taken in the narrow sense of the ax- 
iom, was a devotee of what he fancied to be good breeding, 
and one of his especial duties, as he imagined, in order to put 
his passengers at their ease, was to introduce them to each 
other ; a proceeding which, it is hardly necessary to say, had 
just a contrary effect with the better class of them. 

“ You are acquainted, gentlemen ?” he said, as the three ap- 
proached the party in the hurricane-house. 

The two travellers endeavored to look interested, while Mr. 
Sharp carelessly observed that they had met for the first time 
in the boat. This was delightful intelligence to Captain Truck, 
who did not lose a moment in turning it to account. Stopping 
short, he faced his companions, and with a solemn wave of the 
hand, he went through the ceremonial in which he most de- 
lighted, and in which he piqued himself at being an adept. 

“ Mr. Sharp, permit me to introduce you to Mr. Blunt ; — Mr. 
Blunt, let me make you acquainted with Mr. Sharp.” 

The gentlemen, though taken a little by surprise at the dig- 
nity and formality of the captain, touched their hats civilly to 
each other, and smiled. Eve, not ^ little amused at the scene, 
watched the whole procedure ; and then she too detected the 
eweet melancholy of the one expression, and the marble-like 
irony of the other. It may have been this that cfiused her to 
start, though almost imperceptibly, and to color. 

^‘Our turn will come next,” muttered John Effingham: “get 
the grimaces ready.” 

His conjecture was right ; for, hearing his voice without un- 
derstanding the words, the captain followed up his advantage 
to his own infinite gratification. 

“ Gentlemen, — Mr. Effingham, Mr. John Effingham” — (every 
one soon came to make this distinction in addressing the cousins) 
— “ Miss Effingham, Mademoiselle Viefville : — Mr. Sharp, Mr. 
Blunt, ladies ; — gentlemen, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Sharp.” 

The dignified bow of Mr. Effingham, as well as the faint ana 
distant smile of Eve, would have repelled any undue familiarity 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


27 


in men of less tone than either of the strangers, both of whom 
received the unexpected honor like those who felt themselves 
to be intruders. As Mr. Sharp raised his hat to Eve, however, 
he held it suspended a moment above his head, and then drop- 
ping his arm to its full length, he bowed with profound respect, 
though distantly. Mr. Blunt was less elaborate in his salute, 
but as pointed as the circumstances at all required. Both gen- 
tlemen were a little struck with the distant hauteur of John 
Effingham, whose bow, while it fulfilled all the outward forms, 
was what Eve used laughingly to term “ imperial.” The bustle 
of preparation, and the certainty that there would be no want 
of opportunities to renew the intercourse, prevented more than 
the general salutations, and the new-comers descended to their 
staterooms. 

“Did you remark the manner in which those people took my 
introduction ?” asked Captain Truck of his chief mate, whom 
he was training up in the ways of packet-politeness, as one in 
the road of preferment. “ Now, to my notion, they might have 
shook hands at least. That’s what I call VattelP 

“ One sometimes falls in with what are rum chaps,” returned 
the other, who, from following the London trade, had caught a 
few cockne)nsms. If a man chooses to keep his hands in the 
beckets, why let him, say I ; but I take it as a slight to the 
company to sheer out of the usual track in such matters.” 

I was thinking as. much myself ; but after all, what can 
packet-masters do in such a case ? We can set luncheon and 
dinner before the passengers, but we can’t make them eat. 
Now, my rule is, when a gentleman introduces me, to do the 
thing handsomely, and to return shake for shake, if it is three 
times three ; but as for a touch of the beaver, it is like setting 
a top-gallant sail in passing a ship at sea, and means just 
nothing at all. Who would know a vessel because he has let 
run his halyards and swayed the yard up again ? One would 
do as much to a Turk for manners’ sake. No, no ! there is 
something in this, and, d — me, just to make sure of it, the 


28 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


first good opportunity that offers, I’ll — ay, I’ll just intro- 
duce them all over again ! Let the people ship their hand- 
spikes, Mr. Leach, and heave in the slack of the chain. Ay, 
ay ! I’ll take an opportunity when all hands are on deck, and 
introduce them, ship-shape, one by one, as your greenhorns go 
through a lubber’s-hole, or we shall have no friendship during 
the passage.” 

The mate nodded approbation, as if the other had hit upon 
the right expedient, and then he proceeded to obey the orders, 
while the cares of his vessel soon drove the subject temporarily 
from the mind of his commander. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


29 


CHAPTER III. 

“By all description, this should be the place. 

Who’s here ?— Speak, ho I— No answer 1— What is this ?” 

Timon of Athens. 

A SHIP with her sails loosened and her ensign abroad is al- 
ways a beautiful object ; and the Montauk, a noble New York 
built vessel of seven hundred tons burden, was a first-class 
specimen of the “kettle-bottom” school of naval architecture, 
wanting in nothing that the taste and experience of the day 
can supply. The scene that was now acting before their eyes 
therefore soon diverted the thoughts of Mademoiselle Viefville 
and Eve from the introductions of the captain, both watching 
with intense interest the various movements of the crew and 
passengers as they passed in review. 

A crowd of well-dressed, but of an evidently humbler class 
of persons than those further aft, were thronging the gangways, 
little dreaming of the physical suffering they were to endure 
before they reached the land of promise, — that distant America, 
towards which the poor and oppressed of nearly all nations 
turn longing eyes in quest of a shelter. Eve saw with wonder 
aged men and women among them ; beings who were about to 
sever most of the ties of the world in order to obtain relief 
from the physical pains and privations that had borne hard on 
them for more than threescore years. A few had made sacri- 
fices of themselves in obedience to that mysterious instinct 
which man feels in his offspring ; while others, again, went re- 
joicing, fiushed with the hope of their vigor and youth. Some, 
the victims of their vices, had embarked in the idle expectation 


oO 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


that a change of scene, with increased rneans of indulgence, 
could produce a healthful change of character. All had views 
that the truth would have dimmed, and, perhaps, no single ad- 
venturer among the emigrants collected in that ship entertained 
either sound or reasonable notions of the mode in which his 
step was to be rewarded, though many may meet with a suc- 
cess that will surpass their brightest picture of the future. More, 
no doubt, were to be disappointed. 

Keflections something like these passed through the mind of 
Eve EflSngham, as she examined the mixed crowd, in which 
some were busy in receiving stores from boats ; others in hold- 
ing party conferences with friends, in which a few were weep- 
ing ; here and there a group was drowning reflection in the 
parting cup ; while wondering children looked up with anxiety 
into the well-known faces, as if fearful they might lose the coun- 
tenances they loved, and the charities on which they habitually 
relied, in such a mkUe. 

Although the stern discipline which separates the cabin and 
steerage passengers into castes as distinct as those of the Hin- 
doos had not yet been established. Captain Truck had too pro- 
found a sense of his duty to permit the quarter-deck to be un- 
ceremoniously invaded. This part of the ship, then, had partially 
escaped the confusion of the moment ; though trunks, boxes, 
hampers, and other similar appliances of travelling, were scat- 
tered about in tolerable affluence. Profiting by the space, of 
which there was still sufficient for the purpose, most of the 
party left the hurricane-house to enjoy the short walk that a 
ship affords. At that instant, another boat from the land 
reached the vessel’s side, and a grave-looking personage, who 
was not disposed to lessen his dignity by levity or an omission 
of forms, appeared on deck, where he demanded to be shown 
the master. An introduction was unnecessary in this instance ; 
for Captain Truck no sooner saw his visitor than he recognized 
the well-known features and solemn pomposity of a civil officer 
of Portsmouth, who was often employed to search the Ameri- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


31 


can packets, in pursuit of delinquents of all degrees of crime 
and folly. 

“ I had just come to the opinion I was not to have the pleas- 
ure of seeing you this passage, Mr. Grab,” said the captain, 
shaking hands familiarly with the myrmidon of the law ; “ but 
the turn of the tide is not more regular than you gentlemen 
who come in the name of the king. Mr. Grab, Mr. Dodge — 
Mr. Dodge, Mr. Grab. And now, to what forgery, or bigamy, 
or elopement, or scandalum magnatum^ do I owe the honor of 
your company this time? Sir George Templemore, Mr. Grab — 
Mr. Grab, Sir George Templemore.” 

Sir George bowed with the dignified aversion an honest man 
might be supposed to feel for one of the other’s employment ; 
while Mr. Grab looked gravely and with a counter dignity at 
Sir George. The business of the officer, however, was with 
none in the cabin ; but he had come in quest of a young wo- 
man whoJiad married a suitor rejected by her uncle, — an ar- 
rangement that was likely to subject the latter to a settlement 
of accounts which he found inconvenient, and which he had 
thought it prudent to anticipate by bringing an action of debt 
against the bridegroom for advances, real or pretended, made 
to the wife during her nonage. A dozen eager ears caught an 
outline of this tale as it was communicated to the captain, and 
in an incredibly short space of time it was known throughout 
the ship, with not a few embellishments. 

“ I do not know the persoti of the husband,” continued the 
officer, “ nor indeed does the attorney who is with me in the 
boat ; but his name is Robert Davis, and you can have no diffi- 
culty in pointing him out. We know him to be in the ship.” 

“ I never introduce any steerage passengers, my dear sir ; 
and there is no such person in the cabin, I give you my honor, 

and that is a pledge that must pass between gentlemen like 

us. You are welcome to search, but the duty of the vessel 
must go on. Take your man — but do not detain the ship. — 
Mr. Sharp, Mr. Grab ; Mr. Grab, Mr. Sharp.— Bear a hand 


32 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


there, Mr. Leach, and let us have the slack of the chain as soon 
as possible.” 

There appeared to be what the philosophers call the attrac- 
tion of repulsion between the parties last introduced, for the 
tall gentlenianly-looking Mr. Sharp eyed the officer with a 
supercilious coldness, neither party deeming much ceremony 
on the occasion necessary. Mr. Grab now summoned his as- 
sistant, the attorney, from the boat, and there was a consultation 
between them as to their further proceedings. Fifty heads 
were grouped around them, and curious eyes watched their 
smallest movements, one of the crowd occasionally disappear- 
ing to report proceedings. 

Man is certainly a clannish animal ; for without knowing 
any thing of the merits of the case, without pausing to inquire 
into the right or the wrong of the matter, in the pure spirit of 
partisanship, every man, woman, and child of the steerage, 
which contained fully a hundred souls, took sides against the 
law, and enlisted in the cause of the defendant. All this was 
done quietly, however, for no one menaced or dreamed of vio- 
lence, crew and passengers usually taking their cues from the 
officers of the vessel on such occasions, and those of the Mon- 
tauk understood too well the rights of the public agents to 
commit themselves in the matter. 

“ Call Robert Davis,” said the officer, resorting to a rwse, by 
affecting an authority he had no right to assume. “ Robert 
Davis !” echoed twenty voices, among which was that of the 
bridegroom himself, who was nigh to discover his secret by an 
excess of zeal. It was easy to call, but no one answered. 

“ Can you tell me which is Robert Davis, my little fellow ?” 
the officer asked coaxingly, of a fine fiaxen-headed boy, whose 
age did not exceed ten, and who was a curious spectator of 
what passed. “ Tell me which is Robert Davis, and I will give 
you a sixpence.” 

The child knew, but professed ignorance. 

“ C'est un esprit de corps admirable exclaimed Mademoi- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


33 


selle Viefville ; for the interest of the scene had brought nearly 
all on board, with the exception of those employed in the duty 
of the vessel, near the gangway. “ Ceci est dUicieux, and I 
could devour that boy !” 

What rendered this more odd, or indeed absolutely ludicrous, 
was the circumstance that, by a species of legerdemain, a 
whisper had passed among the spectators so stealthily, and yet 
so soon, that the attorney and his companion were the only 
two on deck who remained ignorant of the person of the man 
they sought. Even the children caught the clue, though they 
had the art to indulge their natural curiosity by glances so sly 
as to escape detection. 

Unfortunately, the attorney had sufficient knowledge of the 
family of the bride to recognize her by a general resemblance, 
rendered conspicuous as it was by a pallid face and an almost 
ungovernable nervous excitement. He pointed her out to the 
officer, who ordered her to approach him, — a command that 
caused her to burst into tears. The agitation and distress of 
his wife were near proving too much for the prudence of the 
young husband, who was making an impetuous movement to- 
wards her, when the strong grasp of a fellow-passenger checked 
him in time to prevent discovery. It is singular how much is 
understood by trifles when the mind has a clue to the subject, 
and how often signs, that are palpable as day, are overlooked 
when suspicion is not awakened, or when the thoughts have 
obtained a false direction. The attorney and the officer were 
the only two present who had not seen the indiscretion of the 
young man, and who did not believe him betrayed. His wife 
trembled to a degree that almost destroyed the ability to stand; 
but, casting an imploring look for self-command on her indis- 
creet partner, she controlled her own distress, and advanced 
towards the officer, in obedience to his order, with a power of 
endurance that the strong affections of a woman could alone 
enable her to assume. 

“ If the husband will not deliver himself up, I shall be com- 

2 ^ 


34 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


pelled to order the wife to be carried ashore in his stead !” the 
attorney coldly remarked, while he applied a pinch of snufl* to 
a nose that was already salfron-colored from the constant use 
of the weed. 

A pause succeeded this ominous declaration, and the crowd 
of passengers betrayed dismay, for all believed there was now 
no hope for the pursued. The wife bowed her head to her 
knees, for she had sunk on a box as if to hide the sight of her 
husband’s arrest. At this moment a voice spoke from among 
the group on the quarter-deck — 

“ Is this an arrest for crime, or a demand for debt ?” asked 
the young man who has been announced as Mr. Blunt. 

There was a quiet authority in the speaker’s manner that 
reassured the failing hopes of the passengers^ while it caused 
the attorney and his companion to look round m surprise, and 
perhaps a little in resentment. A dozen eager voices assured 
“ the gentleman” there was no crime in the matter at all — 
there was even no just debt, but it was a villainous scheme to 
compel a wronged ward to release a fraudulent guardian from 
his liabilities* Though all this was not very clearly explained, 
it was affirmed with so much zeal and energy as to awaken 
suspicion, and to increase the interest of the more intelligent 
portion of the spectators. The attorney surveyed the travelling 
dress, the appearance of fashion, and the youth of his interro- 
gator, whose years could not exceed five-and-twenty, and his 
answer was given with an air of superiority. 

“Debt or crime, it can matter nothing in the eye of the 
law.” 

“ It matters much in the view of an honest man,” returned 
the youth with spirit. “ One might hesitate about interfering- 
in behalf of a rogue, however ready to exert himself in favor of 
one who is innocent, perhaps, of every thing but misfortune.” 

“ This looks a little like an attempt at a rescue ! I hope we 
are still in England, and under the protection of English laws?” 

“ No doubt at all of that, Mr. Seal,” put in the captain, who 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


35 


having kept an eye on the officer from a distance, now thought 
it time to interfere, in order to protect the interests of his own- 
ers. “ Yonder is England, and that is the Isle of Wight, and 
the Montauk has hold of an English Bottom, and good anchor- 
age it is ; no one means to dispute your authority, Mr. At- 
torney, nor to call in question that of the king. Mr. Blunt 
merely throws out a suggestion, sir ; or rather, a distinction 
between rogues and honest men ; nothing more, depend on it, 
sir. — Mr. Seal, Mr. Blunt ; Mr. Blunt, Mr. Seal. And a thou- 
sand pities it is, that the distinction is not more commonly 
made.” 

The young man bowed slightly, and with a face flushed, 
partly with feeling, and partly at finding himself unexpectedly 
conspicuous among so many strangers, he advanced a little 
from the quarter-deck group, like one who feels he is required 
to maintain the ground he has assumed* 

“No one can be disposed to question the supremacy of the 
English laws in this roadstead,” he said, “ and least of all my- 
self ; but you will permit me to doubt the legality of arresting, 
or in any manner detaining, a wifq in virtue of a process issued 
against the husband.” 

“ A briefless barrister !” muttered Seal to Grab. “ I dare 
say a timely guinea would have silenced the fellow. What is 
now to be done ?” 

“ The lady must go ashore, and all these matters can be ar- 
ranged before a magistrate.” 

“ Ay, ay ! let her sue out a habeas corpus if she please,” add- 
ed the ready attorney, whom a second survey caused to distrust 
his first inference. “Justice is blind in England as well as in 
other countries, and is liable to mistakes ; but still she is just. 
If she does mistake sometimes, she is always ready to repair 
the wrong.” 

“Cannot you do something here?” Eve involuntarily half- 
whispered to Mr. Sharp, who stood at her elbow. 

This person started on hearing her voice making this sudden 


3G 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


appeal, and glancing a look of intelligence at her, he smiled 
and moved nearer to the principal parties. 

“ Really, Mr. Attorney,” he commenced, “ this appears to be 
rather irregular, I must confess, — quite out of the ordinary 
way, and it may lead to unpleasant consequences.” 

“ In what manner, sir?” interrupted Seal, measuring the other’s 
ignorance at a glance. 

“ Why, irregular in form, if not in principle. I am aware 
that the habeas corpus is all-essential, and that the law must 
have its way ; but really this does seem a little irregular, not to 
describe it by any harsher term.” 

Mr. Seal treated this new appeal respectfully, in appearance 
at least, for he saw it was made by one greatly his superior, 
while he felt an utter contempt for it in essentials, as he per- 
ceived intuitively that this new intercession was made in a pro- 
found ignorance of the subject. As respects Mr. Blunt, how- 
ever, he had an unpleasant distrust of the result, the quiet man- 
ner of that gentleman denoting more confidence in himself, and 
a greater practical knowledge of the laws. Still, to try the ex- 
tent of the other’s information, and the strength of his nerves, 
he rejoined, in a magisterial and menacing tone — 

“ Yes, let the lady sue out a writ of habeas corpus if wrong- 
fully arrested ; and I should be glad to discover the foreigner 
who will dare to attempt a rescue in old England, and in defi- 
ance of English laws.” 

It is probable Paul Blunt would have relinquished his inter- 
ference, from an apprehension that he might be ignorantly aid- 
ing the evil-doer, but for this threat; and even the threat 
might not have overcome his prudence, had not he caught the 
imploring look of the fine blue eyes of Eve. 

“ All are not necessarily foreigners who embark on board an 
American ship at an English port,” he said steadily, “ nor is 
justice denied those that are. The habeas corpus is as well un- 
derstood in other countries as in this, for happily we live in an 
age when neither liberty nor knowledge is exclusive. It* an at- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


37 


torney, you must know yourself that you cannot legally arrest a 
wife for a husband, and that what you say of the habeas corpus 
is little worthy of attention.” 

“We arrest, and whoever interferes with an officer in charge 
of a prisoner is guilty of a rescue. Mistakes must be rectified 
by the magistrates.” 

“ True, provided the officer has warranty for what he does.” 

“ Writs and warrants may contain errors, but an arrest is an 
aiTest,” growled Grab. 

“ Not the arrest of a woman for a man. In such a case there 
is design, and not a mistake. If this frightened wife will take 
counsel from me, she will refuse to accompany you.” 

“ At her peril, let her dare do so !” 

“At your peril do you dare to attempt forcing her from the 
ship !” 

“ Gentlemen, gentlemen ! — let there be no misunderstanding, 
I pray you,” interposed the captain. “Mr. Blunt, Mr. Grab; 
Mr. Grab, Mr. Blunt. No warm words, gentlemen, I beg of 
you. But the tide is beginning to serve, Mr. Attorney, and 
‘ time and tide,’ you know — If we stay here much longer, the 
Montauk may be forced to sail on the 2d, instead of the 1st, as 
has been advertised in both hemispheres. I should be sorry to 
carry you to sea, gentlemen, without your small stores ; and as 
for the cabin, it is as full as a lawyer’s conscience. No remedy 
but the steerage in such a case. — Lay forward, men, and heave 
away. Some of you man the fore- topsail halyards. — We are as 
regular as our chronometers; the 1st, 10th, and 20th, without 
fail.” 

There was some truth, blended with a little poetry, in Cap- 
tain Truck’s account of the matter. The tide had indeed made 
in his favor, but the little wind there was blew directly into the 
roadstead ; and had not his feelings become warmed by the 
distress of a pretty and interesting young woman, it is more 
than probable the line would have incurred the disgrace of 
having a ship sail on a later day than had been advertised. 


38 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


As it was, however, he had the matter up in earnest, and he 
privately assured Sir George and Mr. Dodge, if the affair were 
not immediately disposed of, he should carry both the attorney 
and officer to sea with him, and that he did not feel himself 
bound to furnish either with water. “ They may catch a little 
rain, by wringing their jackets,” he added, with a wink ; “though 
October is a dryish month in the American seas.^’ 

The decision of Paul Blunt would have induced the attorney 
and his companion to relinquish their pursuit but for two cir- 
cumstances. They had both undertaken the job as a specula- 
tion, or on the principle of “ no play, no pay,” and all their 
trouble would be lost without success. Then the very difficulty 
that occurred had been foreseen, and while the officer proceeded 
to the ship, the uncle had been busily searching for a son on 
shore, to send off to identify the husband, — a step that would 
have been earlier resorted to could the young man have been 
found. This son was*a rejected suitor, and he was now seen, 
by the aid of a glass that Mr. Grab always carried, pulling to- 
wards the Montauk, in a two-oared boat, with as much zeal as 
malignancy and disappointment could impart. His distance 
from the ship was still considerable ; but a peculiar hat, with 
the aid of the glass, left no doubt of his identity. The attorney 
pointed out the boat to the officer, and the latter, after a look 
through the glass, gave a nod of approbation. Exultation over- 
came the usual wariness of the attorney, for his pride, too, had 
got to be enlisted in the success of his speculation, — men being 
so strangely constituted as often to feel as inuch joy in the ac- 
complishment of schemes that are unjustifiable, as in the ac- 
complishment of those of which they may have reason to be 
proud. 

On the other hand, the passengers and people of the packet 
seized something near the truth, with that sort of. instinctive 
readiness which seems to characterize bodies of men in mo- 
ments of excitement. That the solitary boat which was pulling 
towards them in the dusk of the evening contained some one 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


39 


who might aid the attorney and his myrmidon, all believed, 
though in what manner none could tell. 

Between all seamen and the ministers of the law there is a 
long-standing antipathy, for the visits of the latter are usually 
so timed as to leave nothing between the alternatives of paying 
or of losing a voyage. It was soon apparent then, that Mr. 
Seal had little to expect from the apathy of the crew, for never 
did men work with better will to get a ship loosened from the 
bottom. 

All this feeling manifested itself in a silent and intelligent 
activity rather than in noise or bustle, for every man on board 
exercised his best faculties, as well as his best good-will and 
strength ; the clock-work ticks of the palls of the windlass re- 
sembling those of a watch that had got the start of time, 
while the chain came in with surges of half a fathom at each 
heave. 

“ Lay hold of this rope, men,” cried Mr. Leach, placing the 
end of the main-topsail halyards in the hands of half-a-dozen 
athletic steerage passengers, who had all the inclination in the 
world to be doing, though uncertain where to lay their hands ; 
“ lay hold, and run away with it.” 

The second mate performed the same feat forward, and as 
the sheets had never been started, the broad folds of the Mon- 
tauk’s canvas began to open, even while the men were heaving 
at the anchor. These exertions quickened the blood in the 
veins of those who were not employed, until even the quarter- 
deck passengers began to experience the excitement of a chase, 
in addition to the feelings of compassion. Captain Truck was 
silent, but very active in preparations. Springing to the wheel, 
he made its spokes fly until he had forced the helm hard up, 
when he unceremoniously gave it to John Effingham to keep 
there. His next leap was to the foot of the mizen-mast, where, 
after a few energetic efforts alone, he looked over his shoulder 
and beckoned for aid. 

“ Sir George Templemore, mizen-topsail halyards ; mizen- 


40 


HOME WA R D BOUND. 


topsail halyards, Sir George Templemore,” muttered the eager 
master, scarce knowing what he said. “Mr. Dodge, now is 
the time to show that your name and nature are not identical.” 

In short, nearly all on board were busy, and, thanks to the 
hearty good-will of the officers, stewards, cooks, and a few of 
the hands that could be spared from the windlass, busy in a 
way to spread sail after sail with a rapidity little short of that 
seen on hoard of a vessel of war. The rattling of the clew-gar- 
net blocks, as twenty lusty fellows ran forward with the tack of 
the mainsail, and the hauling forward of braces, was the signal 
that the ship was clear of the ground, and coming under com- 
mand. 

A cross current had superseded the necessity of casting the 
vessel, but her sails took the light air nearly abeam ; the cap- 
tain understanding that motion was of much more importance 
just then than direction. No sooner did he perceive by the 
hubbies that floated past, or rather appeared to float past, that 
his ship was dividing the water forward, than he called a trusty 
man to the wheel, relieving John Effingham from his watch. 
The next instant, Mr. Leach reported the anchor catted and 
fished. 

“ Pilot, you will be responsible for this if my prisoners es- 
cape,” said Mr. Grab, menacingly. “ You know my errand, 
and it is your duty to aid the ministers of the law.” 

“ Harkee, Mr. Grab,” put in the master, who had warmed 
himself with the exercise ; “ we all know, and we all do our 
duties, on hoard the Montauk. It is your duty to take Robert 
Davis on shore if you can find him ; and it is my duty to take 
the Montauk to America : now, if you will receive counsel 
from a well-wisher, I would advise you to see that you do not 
go in her. No one offers any impediment to your performing 
your office, and I’ll thank you to offer me none in performing 
mine. — ^Brace the yards further forward, boys, and let the ship 
come up to the wind.” 

As there were logic, useful information, law, and seamanship 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


41 


united in this reply, the attorney began to betray uneasiness ; 
for by this time the ship bad gathered so much way as to ren- 
der it exceedingly doubtful whether a two-oared boat would be 
able to come up with her, without the consent of those on 
board. It is probable, as evening bad already closed, and the 
rays of the moon were beginning to quiver on the ripple of the 
water, that he would have abandoned his object, though with 
infinite reluctance, had not Sir George Templemore pointed out 
to the captain a six-oared boat, that was pulling towards them 
from a quarter that permitted it to be seen in the moonlight. 

That appears to be a man-of-war’s cutter,” observed the 
baronet uneasily, for by this time all on board felt a sort of per- 
sonal interest in their escape. 

“ It does indeed. Captain Truck,” added the pilot ; “ and if 
she makes a signal, it will become my duty to heave-to the 
Mantauk.” 

“ Then bundle out of her, my fine fellow, as fast as you can ; 
for not a brace or a bowline shall be touched here, with my 
consent, for any such purpose. The ship is cleared — my hour 
is come — my passengers are on board — and America is my 
haven. Let them that want me, catch me. That is what I 
call Vatteir 

The pilot and the master of the Montauk were excellent 
friends, and understood each other perfectly, even while the 
former was making the most serious professions of duty. The 
boat was hauled up, and, first whispering a few cautions about 
the shoals and the currents, the worthy marine guide leaped 
into it, and was soon seen floating astern — a cheering proof 
that the ship had got fairly in motion. As he fell out of hear- 
ing in the wake of the vessel, the honest fellow kept calling out 
“ to tack in season.” 

“ If you wish to try the speed of your boat against that of 
the pilot, Mr. Grab,” called out the captain, “ you will never 
have a better opportunity. It is a fine night for a regatta, and 
I will stand you a pound on Mr. Handlead’s heels. For that 


42 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


matter, I would as soon trust liis head, or his hands, in the 
bargain.” 

The officer continued obstinately on board, for he saw that 
the six-oared boat was coming up with the ship, and, as he 
well knew the importance to his client of compelling a settle- 
ment of the accounts, he fancied some succor might be expected 
in that quarter. In the mean time, this new movement on the 
part of their pursuers attracted general attention, and, as might 
be expected, the interest of this little incident increased the 
excitement that usually accompanies a departure for a long sea- 
voyage, fourfold. Men and women forgot their griefs and 
leave-takings in anxiety, and in that pleasure which usually 
attends agitation of the mind that does not proceed from actual 
misery of our own. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


43 


CHAPTER IV. 

“ Whither away so fast ? 

O God save you 1 

Even to the hall, to hear what shall become 
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.’ 

Heney VIII. 

The assembling of the passengers of tbe large packet-ship is 
necessarily an affair of coldness and distrust, especially with 
those who know the world, and more particularly still when the 
passage is from Europe to America. The greater sophistication 
of the old than of the new hemisphere, with its consequent 
shifts and vices, the knowledge that the tide of emigration sets 
westward, and that few abandon the home of their youth un- 
less impelled by misfortune at least, with other obvious causes, 
unite to produce this distinction. Then come the fastidiousness 
of habits, the sentiments of social castes, the refinements of 
breeding, and the reserves of dignity of character, to be put in 
close collision with bustling egotism, ignorance of usages, an 
absence of training, and downright vulgarity of thought and 
practices. Although necessity soon brings these chaotic ele- 
ments into something like order, the first week commonly 
passes in reconnoitering, cool civilities, and cautious concessions, 
to yield at length to the never-dying charities ; unless, indeed, 
the latter may happen to be kept in abeyance by a downright 
quarrel, about midnight carousals, a squeaking fiddle, or some 
incorrigible snorer. 

Happily, the party collected in the Montauk had the good 
fortune to abridge the usual probation in courtesies, by the 
stirring events of the night on which they sailed. Two hours 
had scarcely elapsed since the last passenger crossed the gang- 


44 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


way, and yet the respective circles of the quarter-deck and 
steerage felt more sympathy with each other than the boasted 
human charities ordinarily quicken in days of common-place 
intercourse. They had already found out each other’s names, 
thanks to the assiduity of Captain Truck, who had stolen time, 
in the midst of all his activity, to make half-a-dozen more in- 
troductions, and the Americans of the less trained class were 
already using them as freely as if they were old acquaintances. 
We say Americans, for the cabins of these ships usually con- 
tain a congress of nations, though the people of England, and 
of her ci-devant colonies, of course predominate in those of the » 
London lines. On the present occasion, the last two were 
nearly balanced in numbers, so far as national character could 
be made out ; opinion (which, as might be expected, had been 
busy the while) being suspended in reference to Mr. Blunt, and 
one or two others whom the captain called “ foreigners,” to dis- 
tinguish them from the Anglo-Saxon stock. 

This equal distribution of forces might, under other circum- 
stances, have led to a division in feeling ; for the conflicts be- 
tween American and British opinions, coupled with a difference 
in habits, are a prolific source of discontent in the cabins of 
packets. The American is apt to fancy himself at home, under 
the flag of his country ; while his transatlantic kinsman is 
strongly addicted to fancying that when he has fairly paid his 
money, he has a right to embark all his prejudices with his 
other luggage. 

The affair of the attorney and the newly-married couple, 
however, was kept quite distinct from all feelings of nationali- 
ty ; the English apparently entertaining quite as lively a wish 
that the latter might escape from the fangs of the law, as any 
other portion of the passengers. The parties themselves were 
British, and although the authority evaded was of the same ori- 
gin, right or wrong, all on board had taken up the impression 
that it was improperly exercised. Sir George Templemore, the 
Englishman of highest rank, was decidedly of this way of 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


45 


thinking — an opinion he was rather warm in expressing — 
and the example of a baronet had its weight, not only with 
most of his own countrymen, but with not a few of the Ameri- 
cans also. The EflSngham party, together with Mr. Sharp and 
Mr. Blunt, were, indeed, all who seemed to be entirely indiffer- 
ent to Sir George’s sentiments; and, as men are intuitively 
quick in discovering who do and who do not defer to their sug- 
gestions, their accidental independence might have been favored 
by this fact, for the discourse of this gentleman was addressed 
in the main to those who lent the most willing ears. Mr. 
rf)odge, in particular, was his constant and respectful listener, 
and profound admirer : — but then he was his room-mate, and a 
democrat of a water so pure, that he was disposed to maintain 
no man had a right to any one of his senses, unless by popular 
sufferance. 

In the mean while, the night advanced, and the soft light of 
the moon was playing on the waters, adding a semi-mysterious 
obscurity to the excitement of the scene. The two-oared boat 
had evidently been overtaken by that carrying six oars, and, 
after a short conference, the first had returned reluctantly 
towards the land, while the latter, profiting by its position, had 
set two lug-sails, and was standing out into the offing, on a 
course that would compel the Montauk to come under its lee, 
when the shoals, as would soon be the case, should force the 
ship to tack. 

“England is most inconveniently placed,” Captain Truck 
dryly remarked as he witnessed this manoeuvre. “ Were this 
island only out of the way, now, we might stand on as we 
head, and leave those man-of-war’s men to amuse themselves 
all night with backing and filling in the roads of Portsmouth.” 

“ I hope there is no danger of that little boat’s overtaking 
this large ship !” exclaimed Sir George, with a vivacity that 
did great credit to his philanthropy, according to the opinion 
of Mr. Dodge at least ; the latter having imbibed a singular 
bias in favor of persons of ‘condition, from having travelled in 


4G 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


an eilwagen with a German baron, from whom he had taken a 
model 'of the pipe he carried but nevei smoked, and from hav"- 
ing been thrown for two days and nights into the society of a 
“ Polish countess,” as he uniformly termed her, in the gondole 
of a diligence^ between Lyons and Marseilles. In addition, Mr. 
Dodge, as has just been hinted, was an ultra-freeman at home 
— a circumstance that seems always to react, when the subject 
of the feeling gets into foreign countries. 

“ A feather running before a lady’s sigh would outsail either 
of us in this air, which breathes on us in some such fashion as 
a whale snores, Sir George, by sudden puffs. I would give th# 
price of a steerage passage, if Great Britain lay off the Cape of 
Good Hope for a week or ten days.” 

“ Or Cape Hatteras !” rejoined the mate. 

“ Not r ; I wish the old island no harm, nor a worse climate 
than it has got already ; though it lies as much in our way, 
just at this moment, as the moon in an eclipse of the sun. I 
bear the old creature a great-grandson’s love — or a step or two 
farther off, if you will, — and come and go too often to forget 
the relationship. But, much as I love her, the aflection is not 
strong enough to go ashore on her shoals, and so we will go 
about, Mr. Leach ; at the same time, I wish from my heart 
that two-lugged rascal would go about his business.” 

The ship tacked slowly but gracefully, for she was in what 
her master termed “ racing trim and as her bows fell off to 
the eastward, it became pretty evident to all who understood 
the subject, that the two little lug-sails that were “ eating into 
the wind,” as the sailors express it, would weather upon her 
track ere she could stretch over to the other shoal. Even the 
landsmen had some feverish suspicions of the truth, and the 
steerage passengers were already holding a secret conference 
on the possibility of hiding the pursued in some of the recesses 
of the ship. “ Such things were often done,” one whispered to 
another, “ and it was as easy to perform it now as at any other 
time.” 


HOMEWARD ROUND. 


47 


But Captain Truck viewed the matter differently : his voca- 
tion called him three times a year into the roads at Portsmouth, 
and he felt little disposition to embarrass his future intercourse 
with the place by setting its authorities at a too open defiance. 
He deliberated a good deal on the propriety of throwing his ship 
up into the wind, as she slowly advanced towards the boat, and 
of inviting those in the latter to board him. Opposed to this 
was the pride of profession, and Jack Truck was not a man to 
overlook or to forget the “ yarns” that were spun among his 
fellows at the New England Coffee-house, or among those 
% rming hamlets on the banks of the Connecticut, whence all 
the packet-men are derived, and whither they repair for a shel- 
ter when their careers are run, as regularly as the fruit decays 
where it falleth, or the grass that has not been harvested or 
cropped withers on its native stalk, 

“ There is no question. Sir George, that this fellow is a man- 
of-war’s man,” said the master to the baronet, who stuck close 
to his side. “ Take a peep at the creepiug rogue through this 
night-glass, and you will see his crew seated at their thwarts 
with their arms folded, like men who eat the king’s beef. None 
but your regular public servant ever gets that impudent air of 
idleness about him, either in England or America, In this re- 
spect, human nature is the same in both hemispheres, a man 
never falling in with luck, but he fancies it is no more than his 
deserts.” 

“ There seems to be a great many of them ! Can it be their 
intention to carry the vessel by boarding?” 

“ If it is, 'they must take the will for the deed,” returned Mr. 
Truck a little coldly. “ I very much question if the Montauk, 
with three cabin officers, as many stewards, two cooks, and 
eighteen foremast-men, would exactly like the notion of being 
‘ carried,’ as you style it. Sir George, by a six^oared cutter’s 
crew, We are not as heavy as the planet Jupiter, but have 
somewhat too much gravity to be ‘ carried’ as lightly as all 
that, too.” 


48 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“You intend, then, to resist?” asked Sir George, whose gener- 
ous zeal in behalf of the pursued apparently led him to take a 
stronger interest in their escape than any other person on board. 

Captain Truck, who had never an objection to sport, ponder- 
ed with himself a little, smiled, and then loudly expressed a 
wish that he had a member of congress or a member of parha- 
ment on board. 

“Your desire is a little extraordinary for the circumstances,” 
observed Mr. Sharp ; “ will you have the goodness to explain 
why ?” 

“ This matter touches on international law, gentlemen,” con* 
tinned the master, rubbing his hands; for, in addition to having 
caught the art of introduction, the honest mariner had taken 
it into his head he had become an adept in the principles of 
Vattel, of whom he possessed a well-thumbed copy, and for 
whose dogmas he entertained the deference that they who be- 
gin to learn late usually feel for the particular master into 
whose hands they have accidentally fallen. “ Under what cir- 
cumstances, or in what category, can a public armed ship com- 
pel a neutral to submit to being boarded — not ‘ carried,’ Sir 

George, you will please to remark; for d me,- if any man 

‘ carries’ the Montauk that is not strong enough to ‘ carry’ her 
crew and cargo along with her ! — but in what category, now, 
is a packet like this I have the honor to command obliged, in 
comity, to heave-to and to submit to an examination at all ? 
The ship is a-weigh, and has handsomely tacked under her 
canvas ; and, gentlemen, I should be pleased to have your senti- 
ments on the occasion. Just have the condescension to point 
out the category.” 

Mr. Dodge came from a part of the country in which men 
were accustomed to think, act, almost to eat and drink and 
sleep, in common ; or, in any other words, from one of those 
regions in America, in which there was so much community, 
that few had the moral courage, even when they possessed the 
knowledge, and all the other necessary means, to cause their 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


49 


individuality to be respected. When the usual process of con- 
ventions, sub-conventions, caucuses, and public meetings did 
not supply the means of a “ concentrated action,” he and his 
neighbors had long been in the habit of having recourse to 
societies, by way of obtaining “ energetic means,” as it was 
termed ; and from his tenth year up to his twenty-fifth, this 
gentleman had been either a president, vice-president, manager, 
or committee-man, of some philosophical, political, or religious 
expedient to fortify human wisdom, make men better, and resist 
error and despotism. His experience had rendered him expert 
in what may well enough be termed the language of associa- 
tion. No man of his years, in the twenty-six States, could 
more readily apply the terms of “ taking up” — “ excitement” — 
“ unqualified hostility” — “ public opinion” — “ spreading before 
the public,” or any other of those generic phrases that imply 
the privileges of all, and the rights of none. Unfortunately, 
the pronunciation of this person was not as pure as his motives, 
and he misunderstood the captain when he spoke of comity, as 
meaning a “ committee ;” and although it was not quite obvious 
what the worthy mariner could intend by “ obliged in com- 
mittee (comity) to heave-to,” yet, as he had known these bodies 
to do so many “ energetic things,” he did not see why they 
might not perform this evolution as well as another. 

“ It really does appear. Captain Truck,” he remarked accord- 
ingly, “ that our situation approaches a crisis, and the sugges- 
tion of a comity (committee) strikes me as being peculiarly 
proper and suitable to the circumstances, and in strict conformi- 
ty with republican usages. In order to save time, and that the 
gentleman who shall be appointed to serve may have oppor- 
tunity to report, therefore, I will at once nominate Sir George 
Templemore as chairman, leaving it for any other gentlemen 
present to suggest the name of any candidate he may deem 
proper. I will only add, that in my poor judgment this comity 
(committee) ought to consist of at least three, and that it have 
powei- to send for persons and papers ” 

8 


50 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“I would propose five, Captain Truck, by way of amend- 
ment,” added another passenger of the same kidney as the last 
speaker, gentlemen of their school making it a point to difier a 
little from every proposition by way of showing their independ- 
ence. 

It was fortunate for both the mover of the original motion, 
and for the proposer of the amendment, that the master was 
acquainted with the character of Mr. Dodge, or a proposition 
that his ship was to be worked by a committee (or indeed by 
comity), would have been very likely to meet with but an in- 
different reception; but, catching a glimpse of the laughing 
eyes of Eve, as well as of the amused faces of Mr. Sharp and 
Mr. Blunt, by the light of the moon, he very gravely signified 
his entire approbation of the chairman named, and his perfect 
readiness to listen to the report of the aforesaid committee as 
soon as it might be prepared to make it. 

“ And if your committee, or comity, gentlemen,” he added, 
“can tell me what Vattel would say about the obligation to 
heave-to in a time of profound peace, and when the ship or 
boat in chase can have no belligerent rights, I shall be grateful 
to my dying day ; for I have looked him through as closely as 
old women usually examine almanacs to tell which way the 
wind is about to blow, and I fear he has overlooked the subject 
altogether.” 

Mr. Dodge, and three or four more of the same community- 
propensity as himself, soon settled the names of the rest of the 
committee, when the nominees retired to another part of the 
deck to consult together ; Sir George Templemore, to the sur- 
prise of all the EflBngham party, consenting to serve with a 
willingness that rather disregarded forms. 

“ It might be convenient to refer other matters to this com- 
mittee, captain,” said Mr. Sharp, who had tact enough to see 
that nothing but her habitual retenue of deportment kept Eve, 
whose bright eyes were dancing with humor, from downright 
laughter ; “ these are the important points of reefing and furl- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


51 


ing, the courses to be steered, the sail to be carried, the times 
and seasons of calling all hands together, with sundry other 
customary duties, that no doubt would be well treated on in 
this forthcoming report.” 

“No doubt, sir ; I perceive you have been at sea before, and 
I am sorry you were overlooked in naming the members of the 
comity ; take my word for it, all that you have mentioned can 
be done on board the Montauk by a comity, as well as settling 
the question of heaving-to, or not, for yonder boat. By the 
way, Mr. Leach, the fellows have tacked, and are standing in 
this direction, thinking to cross our bows and speak us. Mr. 
Attorney, the tide is setting us off the land, and you may 
make it morning before you get into your nests, if you hold on 
much longer. I fear Mrs. Seal and Mrs. Grab will be unhappy 
women.” 

The bloodhounds of the law heard this warning with indif- 
ference, for they expected succor of some sort, though they 
hardly knew of what sort, from the man-of-war’s boat, which, 
it was now plain enough, must weather on the ship. After 
putting their heads together, Mr. Seal offered his companion a 
pinch of snuff, helping himself afterwards, like a man indiffer- 
ent to the result, and one patient in time of duty. The sun- 
burnt face of the captain, whose standing color was that which 
cooks get when the fire burns the brightest, but whose hues no 
fire or cold ever varied, was turned fully on the two, and it is 
probable they would have received some decided manifes- 
tation of his will, had not Sir George Templemore, with the 
four other committee-men, approached to give in the result of 
their conference. 

“We are of opinion. Captain Truck,” said the baronet, 
“ that, as the ship is under way, and your voyage may be fairly 
said to have commenced, it is quite inexpedient and altogether 
unnecessary for you to anchor again; but that it is your 
duty—” 

“ I have no occasion for advice as to my duty, gentlemen. 


52 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


If you can let me know what Vattel says, or ought to have 
said, on the subject, or touching the category of the right of 
search, except as a belligerent right, I will thank you; if not, 
we must e’en guess at it. I have not sailed a ship in this trade 
these ten years to need any jogging of the memory about port- 
jurisdiction either, for these are matters in which one gets to 
be expert by dint of use, as my old master used to say when he 
called us from table with half a dinner. Now, there was the 
case of the blacks in Charleston, in which our government 
showed clearly it had not studied Vattel, or it never would have 
given the answer it did. Perhaps you never heard that case. 
Sir George, and as it touches a delicate principle, I will just run 
over the category lightly ; for it has its points, as well as . a 
coast.” 

“ Does not this matter press — may not the boat — ” 

“ The boat will do nothing, gentlemen, without the permis- 
sion of Jack Truck. You must know, the Carolinians have a 
law that all niggers brought into their State by ships, must be 
caged until the vessel sails again. This is to prevent emanci- 
pation, as they call it, or abolition, I know not which. An 
Englishman comes in from the islands with a crew of blacks, 
and, according to law, the authorities of Charleston house them 
all before night. John Bull complains to his minister, and his 
minister sends a note to our secretary, and our secretary writes 
to the governor of Carolina, calling on him to respect the 
treaty, and so on. Gentlemen, I need not tell you what a treaty 
is — it is a thing in itself to be obeyed ; but it is all-important 
to know what it commands. Well, what was this said treaty ? 
That John should come in and out of the ports, on the footing 
of the most favored nation ; on the statu quo ante helium prin- 
ciple, as Vattel has it. Now, the Carolinians treated John just 
as they treated Jonathan, and there was no more to be said. 
All parties were bound to enter the port, subject to the munici- 
pals, as is set forth in Vattel. That was a case soon settled, 
you perceive, though depending on a nicety.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


53 


Sir George had listened with extreme impatience, but, fearful 
of offending, he listened to the end ; then, seizing the first 
pause in the captain’s discourse, he resumed his remonstrances 
with an interest that did infinite credit to his humanity, at the 
same time that he overlooked none of the obligations of politeness. 

“ An exceedingly clear case, I protest,” he answered, “ and 
capitally put — I question if Lord Stowell could do it better — 
and exceedingly apt, that about the ante helium ; hut I confess 
my feelings have not been so much roused for a long time as 
they have been on account of these poor people. There is 
something inexpressibly painful in being disappointed as one is 
setting out in the morning of life, as it were, in this cruel man- 
ner ; and rather than see this state of things protracted, I would 
prefer paying a trifle out of my own pocket. If this wretched 
attorney will consent, now, to take a hundred pounds and quit 
us, and carry back with him that annoying cutter with the lug- 
sails, I will give him the money most cheerfully — most cheer- 
fully, I protest.” 

There is something so essentially respectable in practical 
generosity, that, though Eve and all the curious auditors of 
what was passing felt an inclination to laugh at the whole pro- 
cedure up to this declaration, eye met eye in commendation of 
the liberality of the baronet. He had shown he had a heart, in 
the opinion of most of those who heard him, though his previ- 
ous conversation had led several of the observers to distrust his 
having the usual quantum of head. 

“ Give yourself no trouble about the attorney. Sir George,” 
returned the captain, shaking the other cordially by the hand ; 
“ he shall not touch a pound of your money, nor do I think he 
is likely to touch Robert Davis. We have caught the tide on 
our lee bow, and the current is wheeling us up to windward, 
like an opposition coach flying over Blackheath. In a few 
minutes we shall be in blue water ; and then I’ll give the rascal 
a touch of Vattel that will throw him all aback, if it don’t throw 
him overboard.” 


54 


homeward bound. 


“ But the cutter?” 

“ Why, if we drive the attorney and Grab out of the ship, 
there will be no process in the hands of the others, by which 
they can carry off the man, even admitting the jurisdiction. 
I know the scoundrels, and not a shilling shall either o{,the 
knaves take from this vessel with my consent. Harkee, Sir 

George, a word in your ear : two of as d d cockroaches as 

ever rummaged a ship’s breadroom; I’ll see that they soon 
heave about, or I’ll heave them both into their boat, with my 
own fair hands.” 

The captain was about to turn away to examine the position 
of the cutter, when Mr. Dodge asked permission to make a 
short report in behalf of the minority of the comity (commit- 
tee), the amount of which was, that they agreed in all things 
with the majority, except on the point that, as it might be- 
come expedient for the ship to anchor again in some of the 
ports lower down the Channel, it would be wise to keep that 
material circumstance in view, in making up a final decision in 
the affair. This report, on the part of the minority, which 
Mr. Dodge explained to the baronet, partook rather of the 
character of a caution than of a protest, had quite as little in- 
fiuence on Captain Truck as the opinion of the majority, for he 
was just one of those persons who seldom took advice that did 
not conform with his own previous decision ; but he coolly con- 
tinued to examine the cutter, which, by this time, was stand- 
ing on the same course as the ship, a short distance to wind- 
ward of her, and edging a little off the wind, so as to bring the 
two nearer to each other, every yard they advanced. 

The wind had freshened to a little breeze, and the captain 
nodded his head with satisfaction when he heard, even where 
he stood on the quarter-deck, the slapping of the sluggish swell, 
as the huge bows of the ship parted the water. At this 
moment those in the cutter saw the bubbles glide swiftly past 
them, while to those in the Montauk the motion was still slow 
and heavy ; and yet, of the two, the actual velocity was father 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


55 


in favor of the latter, both having about what is technically 
termed “ four-knot way” on them. The officer of the boat was 
quick to detect the change that was acting against him, and by 
easing the sheets of his lug-sails, and keeping the cutter as 
muc^ off the wind as he could, he was soon within a hundred 
feet of the ship, running along on her weather-beam. The 
bright soft moonlight permitted the face of a young man in a 
man-of-war cap, who wore the undress uniform of a sea lieuten- 
ant, to be distinctly seen, as he rose in the stern-sheets, which 
contained also two other persons. 

“ I will thank you to heave-to the Montauk,” said the lieu- 
tenant, civilly, while he raised his cap, apparently in compli- 
ment to the passengers who crowded the rail to see and hear 
what passed. “ I am sent on the duty of the king, sir.” 

“ I know your errand, sir,” returned Captain Truck, whose 
resolution to refuse to comply was a good deal shaken by the 
gentlemanlike manner in which the request was made ; “ and 
I wish you to bear witness, that if I do consent to your request, 
it is voluntarily ; for, on the principles laid down by Vattel and 
the other writers on international law, the right of search is a 
belligerent right, and England being at peace, no ship belonging 
to one nation can have a right to stop a vessel belonging to 
another.” 

“ I cannot enter into these niceties, sir,” returned the lieuten- 
ant, sharply : “ I have my orders, and you will excuse me if I 
say, I intend to execute them.” 

“ Execute them with all my heart, sir ; if you are ordered to 
heave-to my ship, all you have to do is to get on board, if you 
can, and let us see the style in which you handle yards. As to 
the people now stationed at the braces, the trumpet that will 
make them stir is not to be spoken through at the Admiralty. 
The fellow has spirit in him, and I like his principles as an 
officer, but I cannot admit his conclusions as a jurist. If he 
flatters himself with being able to frighten us into a new cate- 
gory, now, that is likely to impair national rights, the lad has 


56 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


just got himself into a problem that will need all his logic, and 
a good deal of his spirit, to get out of again.” 

“ You will scarcely think of resisting a king’s oflScer in British 
waters !” said the young man, with that haughtiness that the 
meekest tempers soon learn to acquire under a pennant. 

“ Resisting, my dear sir ! I resist nothing. The misconception 
is in supposing that you sail this ship instead of John Truck. 
That is my name, sir ; John Truck. Do your errand in wel- 
come, but do not ask me to help you. Come aboard, with all 
my heart ; nothing would give me more pleasure than to take 
wine with you ; but I see no necessity of stopping a packet, 
that is busy on a long road, without an object, as we say on the 
other side of the big waters.” 

There was a pause, and then the lieutenant, with the sort 
of hesitation that a gentleman is apt to feel when he makes a 
proposal that he knows ought not to be accepted, called out 
that those in the boat with him would pay for the detention 
of the ship. A more unfortunate proposition could not be made 
to Captain Truck, who would have hove-to his ship in a moment 
had the lieutenant proposed to discuss Yattel with him on the 
quarter-deck, and who was only holding out as a sort of salvo 
to his rights, with that disposition to resist aggression that the 
experience of the last forty years has so deeply implanted in 
the bosom of every American sailor, in cases connected with 
English naval officers, and who had just made up his mind to 
let Robert Davis take his chance, and to crack a bottle with 
the handsome young man who was still standing up in the boat. 
But Mr. Truck had been too often to London not to understand 
exactly the manner in which Englishmen appreciate American 
character ; and, among other things, he knew it was the general 
opinion in the island that money could do any thing with 
Jonathan, or, as Christophe is said once to have sententiously 
expressed the same sentiment, “If there were a bag of coffee in 
h — , a Yankee could be found to go and bring it out.” 

The master of the Montauk had a proper relish for his lawful 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


51 


gains as well as another, but he was vain-glorious on the subject 
of his countrymen, principally because he found that the pack- 
ets outsailed all other merchant ships, and fiercely proud of any 
quality that others were disposed to deny them. 

At hearing this proposal, or intimation, therefore, instead of 
accepting it. Captain Truck raised his hat with formal civility, 
and coolly wished the other “ good-night.” This was bringing 
the affair to a crisis at once ; for the helm of the cutter was borne 
up, and an attempt was made to run the boat alongside of the 
ship. But the breeze had been steadily increasing, the air had 
grown heavier as the night advanced, and the dampness of 
evening was thickening the canvas of the coarser sails in a way 
sensibly to increase the speed of the ship. When the conver- 
sation commenced, the boat was abreast of the fore-rigging ; 
and by the time it ended, it was barely up with the mizen. The 
lieutenant was quick to see the disadvantage he labored under, 
and he called out “ Heave !” as he found the cutter was falling 
close under the counter of the ship, and would be in her wake 
in another minute. The bowman of the boat cast a light grap- 
nell with so much precision, that it hooked in the mizzen rig- 
ging, and the line instantly tightened so as to tow the cutter. 
A seaman was passing along the outer edge of the hurricane- 
house at the moment, coming from the wheel, and with the 
decision of an old salt, he quietly passed his knife across the 
stretched cordage, and it snapped like pack-thread. The grap- 
nel fell into the sea, and the boat was tossing in the wake of 
the ship, all as it might be while one could draw a breath. To 
furl the sails and ship the oars consumed but an instant, and 
then the cutter was ploughing the water under the vigorous 
strokes of her crew. 

“ Spirited ! spirited and nimble !” observed Captain Truck, 
who stood coolly leaning against a shroud, in a position where 
he could command a view of all that was passing, improving 
the opportunity to shake the ashes from his cigar while he 
spoke ; “ a fine young fellow, and one who will make an admiral, 

3 ^ 


58 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


or something better, I dare say, if he live ; — perhaps a cherub, 
in time. Now, if he pull much longer in the back-water of our 
wake, I shall have to give him up, Leach, as a little marin-wA ; 
ah ! there he sheers out of it, like a sensible youth as he is ! 
Well, there is something pleasant in the conceit of a six-oared 
boat’s carrying a London liner by boarding, even admitting the 
lad could have got alongside.” 

So, it would seem, thought Mr. Leach and the crew of the 
Montauk ; for they were clearing the decks with as much phi- 
losophy as men ever discover when employed in an unthankful 
office. 

This sang-froid of seamen is always matter of surprise to 
landsmen ; but adventurers who have been rocked in the 
tempest for years, whose utmost security is a great hazard, and 
whose safety constantly depends on the command of the facul- 
ties, come in time to experience an apathy on the subject of all 
the minor terrors and excitements of life, that none can acquire 
unless by habit and similar risks. There was a low laugh 
among the people, and now and then a curious glance of the 
eye over the quarter, to ascertain the position of the struggling 
boat ; but there the effect of the little incident ceased, so far as 
the seamen were concerned. 

Not so with the passengers. The Americans exulted at the 
failure of the man-of-war’s man ; and the English doubted. 
To them, deference to the crown was habitual, and they were 
displeased at seeing a stranger play a king’s boat such a trick, 
in what they justly enough thought to be British waters. 
Although the law may not give a man any more right than 
another to the road before his own door, he comes in time to 
fancy it, in a certain degree, his particular road. Strictly speak- 
ing, the Montauk was perhaps still under the dominion of the 
English laws, though she had been a league from the land when 
laying at her anchor, and by this time the tide and her own 
velocity had swept her broad off into the offing quite as far 
again ; indeed, she had now got to such a distance from the 


H O xM K W A K D BOUND. 


59 


land, that Captain Truck thought it his “duty” to bring matters 
to a conclusion with the attorney. 

“ Well, Mr. Seal,” he said, “l am grateful for the pleasure 
of your company thus far ; but you will excuse me if I decline 
taking you and Mr. Grab quite to America. Half an hour 
hence you will hardly be able to find the island ; for as soon as 
we have got to a proper distance from the cutter, I shall tack to 
the southwest, and you ought, moreover, to remember the 
anxiety of the ladies at home.” 

“ This may turn out a serious matter. Captain Truck, on your 
return passage! Tlie laws of England are not to be trifled 
with. Will you oblige me by ordering the steward to hand me 
a glass of water ? Waiting for justice is dry duty, I find.” 

“Extremely sorry I cannot comply, gentlemen. Vattel has 
nothing on the subject of watering belligerents, or neutrals, and 
the laws of Congress compel me to carry so many gallons to 
the man. If you will take it in the way of a nightcap, how- 
ever, and drink success to our run to America, and your own 
to the shore, it shall be in champagne, if you happen to like 
that agreeable fluid.” 

The attorney was about to express his readiness to compro- 
mise on these terms, when a glass of the beverage for which he 
had first asked was put into his hand by the wife of Robert 
Davis. He took the water, drank it, and turned from the 
woman with the obduracy of one who never suffered feeling to 
divert him from the pursuit of gain. The wine was brought, 
and the captain filled the glasses with a seaman’s heartiness. 

“ I drink to your safe return to Mrs. Seal, and the little gods 
and goddesses of justice, — ^Pan or Mercuiy, which is it? And 
as for you. Grab, look out for sharks as you pull in. If they 
hear of your being afloat, the souls of persecuted sailors will 
set them on you, as the devil chases male coquettes. Well, 
gentlemen, you are balked this time ; but what matters it ? It 
is but another man got safe out of a country that has too many 
in it ; and I trust we shall meet good friends again this day 


60 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


four months. Even man and wife must part, when the hour 
arrives.” 

“ That will depend on how my client views your conduct on 
this occasion, Captain Truck ; for he is not a man that it is 
always safe to thwart.” 

“ That for your client, Mr. Seal !” returned the captain, snap- 
ping his fingers. “ I am not to be frightened with an attorney’s 
gi-owl, or a bailiff’s nod. You come off with a writ or a war- 
rant, I care not which ; I offer no resistance ; you hunt for your 
man, like a terrier looking for a rat, and can’t find him ; I see 
the fine fellow, at this moment, on deck, — but I feel no obliga- 
tion to tell you who or where he is ; my ship is cleared and I 
sail, and you have no power to stop me ; we are outside of all 
the head-lands, good two leagues and a half off, and some wri- 
ters say that a gun-shot is the extent of your jurisdiction, once 
out of which, your authority is not worth half as much as that 
of my chief cook, who has power to make his mate clean the 
coppers. Well, sir, you stay here ten minutes longer and we 
shall be fully three leagues from your nearest land, and then 
you are in America, according to law, and a quick passage you 
will have made of it. Now, that is what I call a category.” 

As the captain made this last remark, his quick eye saw that 
the wind had hauled so far round to the westward, as to super- 
sede the necessity of tacking, and that they were actually go- 
ing eight knots in a direct line from Portsmouth. Casting- an 
eye behind him, he perceived that the cutter had given up the 
chase, and was returning towards the distant roads. Under 
circumstances so discouraging, the attorney, who began to be 
alarmed for his boat, which was flying along on the water, 
towed by the ship, prepared to take his leave ; for he was fully 
aware that he had no power to compel the other to heavc-to 
his ship, to enable him to get out of her. Luckily the water 
was still tolerably smooth, and with fear and trembling, Mr. 
Seal succeeded in blundering into the boat ; not, however, until 
the watermen had warned him of their intention to hold on no 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


61 


longer. Mr. Grab followed, with a good deal of difficulty, and 
just as a hand was about to let go the painter, the captain ap- 
peared at the gangway with the man they were in quest of, and 
said in his most winning manner — 

“ Mr. Grab^ Mr. Davis ; Mr. Davis, Mr. Grab : I seldom intro- 
duce steerage passengers, but to oblige two old friends I break 
the rule. That’s what I call a category. My compliments to 
Mrs. Grab. Let go the painter.” 

The words were no sooner uttered than the boat was tossing 
and whirling in the caldron left by the passing ship. 


62 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER V. 

“ What country, friends, is this ? 

Illyria, lady.” 

Twelfth Night. 

Captain Truck cast an eye aloft to see if every thing drew, 
as coolly as if nothing out of the usual course had happened ; 
he and his crew having, seemingly, regarded the attempt to 
board them as men regard the natural phenomena of the plan- 
ets, or in other words, as if the ship, of which they were merely 
parts, had escaped by her own instinct or volition. This habit 
of considering the machine as the governing principle is rather 
general among seamen, who while they ease a brace, or drag a 
bowline, as the coachman checks a rein, appear to think it is 
only permitting the creature to work her own will a little more 
freely. It is true all know better, but none talk, or indeed 
would seem iofeel^ as if they thought otherwise. 

“ Hid you observe how the old barky jumped out of the way 
of those rovers in the cutter ?” said the captain complacently 
to the quarter-deck group, when his survey aloft had taken suf- 
ficient heed that his own nautical skill should correct the instinct 
of the ship. “A skittish horse, or a whale with the irons in him, 
or, for that matter, one of the funniest of your theatricals, would 
not have given a prettier aside than this poor old hulk, which 
is certainly just the clumsiest craft that sails the ocean. I wish 
King William would take it into his royal head, now, to send 
one of his light-heeled cruisers out to prove it, by way of re- 
senting the cantaverous trick the Montauk played his boat !” 

The dull report of a gun, as the sound came short and dead- 
ened up against the breeze, checked the raillery of Mr. Truck. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


63 


Ou looking to leeward, there was sufficient light to see the 
symmetrical sails of the corvette they had left at anchor, trim- 
med close by the wind, and the vessel itself standing out under 
a press of canvas, apparently in chase. The gun had evi- 
dently been fired as a signal of recall to the cutter, blue lights 
being burnt on board of both the ship and its boat, in proof 
that they were communicating. 

The passengers now looked gravely at each other, for the 
matter, in their eyes, began to be serious. Some suggested the 
possibility that the offence of Davis might be other than debt, 
but this was disproved by the process and the account of the 
bailiff* himself ; while most concluded that a determination to 
resent the slight done the authorities had caused the cruiser to 
follow them out, with the intention of carrying them back 
again. The English passengers, in particular, began now to 
reason in favor of the authority of the crown, while those who 
were known to be Americans grew warm in maintaining the 
rights of their flag. Both the Effinghams, however, were 
moderate in the expression of their opinions ; for education, 
years, and experience, had taught them to discriminate justly. 

“As respects the course of Captain Truck, in refusing to per- 
mit the cutter to board him, he is probably a better judge than 
any of us,” Mr. Effingham observed with gentlemanly reserve — 
“ for he must better understand the precise position of his ship 
at the time ; but concerning the want of right in a foreign ves- 
sel of war to carry this ship into port in a time of profound 
peace, when sailing on the high seas, as will soon be the case 
with the Montauk, — admitting that she is not there at present, — 
I should think there can be no reasonable doubt. The dispute, 
if there is to be any, has now to become matter of negotiation ; 
or redress must be sought through the general agents of the 
two nations, and not taken by the inferior officers of either 
party. The instant the Montauk reaches the public highway 
of nations, she is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the coun- 
try under whose flag she legally sails.” 


64 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“Vattel, to the backbone!” said the captain, giving a nod 
of approbation, again clearing the end of his cigar.. 

Now, John Effingham was a man of strong feelings, which 
is often but another word for a man of strong prejudices ; and 
he had been educated between thirty or forty years before, 
which is saying virtually, that he was educated under the in- 
fluence of the British opinions, that then weighed (and many 
of which still weigh) like an incubus on the national interests 
of America. It is true, Mr. Effingham was in all senses the 
contemporary, as he had been the school-fellow, of his cousin ; 
that they loved each other as brothers, had the utmost reliance 
on each other’s principles in the main, thought alike in a thou- 
sand things, and yet, in the particular of English domination, 
it was scarcely possible for one man to resemble another less 
than the widowed kinsman resembled the bachelor. 

Edward Effingham was a singularly just-minded man, and 
having succeeded at an early age to his estate, he had lived 
many years in that intellectual retirement which, by withdraw- 
ing him from the strifes of the world, had left a cultivated sa- 
gacity to act freely on a natural disposition. At the period 
when the entire republic was, in substance, exhibiting the dis- 
graceful picture of a nation torn by adverse factions, that had 
their origin in interests alien to its own ; when most were either 
Englishmen or Frenchmen, he had remained what nature, the 
laws, and reason intended him to be, an American. Enjoying 
the otium cum dignitate on his hereditary estate, and in his 
hereditary abode, Edward Effingham, with little pretensions to 
greatness, and with many claims to goodness, had hit the line 
of truth which so many of the “godlikes” of the republic, 
under the influence of their passions, and stimulated by the 
transient and fluctuating interests of the day, entirely over- 
looked, or which, if seeing, they recklessly disregarded. A less 
impracticable subject for excitement, — the 'primum mobile of all 
American patriotism and activity, if we are to believe the 
theories of the times, — could not be found, than this gentle- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


66 


man. Independence of situation had induced independence of 
thought ; study and investigation rendered him original and 
just, by simply exempting him from the influence of the pas- 
sions ; and while hundreds were keener, abler in the exposition 
of subtleties, or more imposing with the mass, few were as often 
right, and none of less selfishness, than this simple-minded and 
upright gentleman. He loved his native land, while he saw and 
regretted its weaknesses ; was its firm and consistent advocate 
abroad, without becoming its interested or mawkish flatterer at 
home, and at all times, and in all situations, manifested that his 
heart was where it ought to be. 

In many essentials, John Effingham was the converse of all 
this. Of an intellect much more acute and vigorous than that 
of his cousin, he also possessed passions less under control, a 
will more stubborn, and prejudices that often neutralized his 
reason. His father had inherited most of the personal property 
of the family, and with this he had plunged into the vortex of 
moneyed speculation that succeeded the adoption of the new 
constitution, and verifying the truth of the sacred saying, that 
where treasure is, there will the heart be also,” he had entered 
warmly and blindly into all the factious and irreconcilable 
principles of party, if such a word can properly be applied to 
rules of conduct that vary with the interests of the day, and 
had adopted the current errors with which faction unavoidably 
poisons the mind. 

America was then much too young in her independence, and 
too insignificant in all eyes but her own, to reason and act for 
herself, except on points that pressed too obviously on her im- 
mediate concerns to be overlooked ; but the great social princi- 
ples, — or it might be better to say, the great social interests, — 
that then distracted Europe, produced quite as much sensation 
in that distant country, as at all comported with a state of 
things that had so little practical connection with the result. 
The Effingham family had started Federalists, in the true mean- 
ing of the term ; for their education, native sense, and princi- 


66 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


pies, had a leaning to order, good government, and the dignity 
of the country ; hut as factions became fiercer, and names got 
to be confounded and contradictory, the landed branch settled 
down into what they thought were American, and the com- 
mercial branch into what might properly be termed English 
Federalists. We do not mean that the father of John intended 
to be untrue to his native land ; but by following up the dogmas 
of party he had reasoned himself into a set of maxims which, 
if they meant any thing, meant every thing but that which 
had been solemnly adopted as the governing principles of his 
own country, and many of which were diametrically opposed 
to both its interests and its honor. 

John Effingham had insensibly imbibed the sentiments of 
his particular sect, though the large fortune inherited from his 
father had left him too independent to pursue the sinuous policy 
of trade. He had permitted temperament to act on prejudice 
to such an extent that he vindicated the right of England to 
force men from under the American flag, a doctrine that his 
cousin was too simple-minded and clear-headed ever to enter- 
tain for an instant ; and he was singularly ingenious in dis- 
covering blunders in all the acts of the republic, when they 
conflicted with the policy of Great Britain. In short, his 
talents were necessary, perhaps, to reconcile so much sophistry, 
or to render that reasonably plausible that was so fundamentally 
false. After the peace of 1816 , John Effingham went abroad 
for the second time, and he hurried through England with the 
eagerness of strong affection ; an affection that owed its exist- 
ence even more to opposition than to settled notions of truth, 
or to natural ties. The result was disappointment, as hap- 
pens nineteen times in twenty, and this solely because, in the 
zeal of a partisan, he had fancied theories, and imagined re- 
sults. Like the English radical, who rushes into America 
with a mind unsettled by impracticable dogmas, he experi- 
enced a reaction, and this chiefly because he found that men 
were not superior to nature, and discovered so late in the day. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


67 


what he might have known at starting, that particular causes 
must produce particular effects. From this time, John Effing- 
ham became a wiser and a more moderate man ; though, as 
the shock had not been sufficiently violent to throw him back- 
ward on truth, or rather upon the opposing prejudices of an- 
other sect, the remains of the old notions were still to be dis- 
covered lingering in his opinions, and throwing a species of 
twilight shading over his mind ; as, in nature, the hues of eve- 
ning and the shadows of the morning follow, or precede the 
light of the sun. 

Under the influence of these latent prejudices, then, John 
Effingham replied to the remarks of his cousin, and the dis- 
course soon partook of the discursive character of all argu- 
ments, in which the parties are not singularly clear-headed, and 
free from any other bias than that of truth. Nearly all joined 
in it, and half an hour was soon passed in settling the law of 
nations, and the particular merits or demerits of the instance 
before them. 

It was a lovely night, and Mademoiselle Viefville and Eve 
walked the deck for exercise, the smoothness of the water ren- 
dering the moment every way favorable. As has been already 
said, the common feeling in the escape of the new-married 
couple had broken the ice, and less restraint existed between 
the passengers, at the moment when Mr. Grab left the ship, 
than would have been the case at the end of a week, under 
ordinary circumstances. Eve Effingham had passed her time 
since her eleventh year principally on the continent of Europe, 
and in the mixed intercourse that is common to strangers in 
that part of the world ; or, in other words, equally without the 
severe restraint that is usually imposed there on the young of 
her own sex, or without the extreme license that is granted to 
them at home. She came of a family too well toned to run 
into the extravagant freedoms that sometimes pass for easy 
manners in America, had she never quitted her father’s house 
even : but her associations abroad had unavoidably imparted 


C8 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


greater reserve to her ordinary deportment than the simplicity 
of cis-Atlantic usages would have rendered indispensable in 
the most fastidious circles. With the usual womanly reserves, 
she was natural and unembarrassed in her intercourse with the 
world, and she had been allowed to see so many different 
nations, that she had obtained a self-confidence that did her no 
injury, under the influence of an exemplary education, and 
great natural dignity of mind. Still, Mademoiselle Viefville, 
notwithstanding she had lost some of her own peculiar notions 
on the subject, by having passed so many years in an Ameri- 
can family, was a little surprised at observing that Eve received 
the respectful advances of Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt with less 
reserve than it was usual to her to manifest to entire strangers. 
Instead of remaining a mere listener, she answered several 
remarks of the first, and once or twice she even laughed with 
him openly at some absurdity of the committee of five. The 
cautious governess wondered, but half disposed to fancy that 
there was no more than the necessary freedom of a ship in it 
all, — for, like a true Frenchwoman, Mademoiselle Viefville had 
very vague notions of the secrets of the mighty deep — she 
permitted it to pass, confiding in the long-tried taste and dis- 
cretion of her charge. While Mr. Sharp discoursed with Eve, 
who held her arm the while, she herself had fallen into an 
animated conversation with Mr. Blunt, who walked at her 
side, and who spoke her own language so well, that she at 
first set him down as a countryman, travelling under an Eng- 
lish appellation, as a nom de guerre. While this dialogue was 
at its height of interest — for Paul Blunt discoursed with his 
companion of Paris and its excellencies with a skill that soon 
absorbed all her attention, “ Paris, ce magnifique Paris, hav- 
ing almost as much influence on the happiness of the gover- 
ness, as it was said to have had on that of Madame de Stael, 
Eve’s companion dropped his voice to a tone that was rather 
confidential for a stranger, although it was perfectly respectful, 
and said — 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


69 


“ I have flattered myself, perhaps through the influence of 
self-love alone, that Miss Efiingham has not so far forgotten 
all whom she has met in her travels, as to think me an utter 
stranger.” 

“ Certainly not,” returned Eve, with perfect simplicity and 
composure ; “ else would one of my faculties, that of memory, 
be perfectly useless. I knew you at a glance, and consider the 
worthy captain’s introduction as so much finesse of breeding 
utterly thrown away.” 

“ I am equally gratified and vexed at all this ; gratified and 
infinitely flattered to find that I have not passed before your 
eyes like the common herd, who leave no traces of even their 
features behind them ; and vexed at finding myself in a situa- 
tion that, I fear, you fancy excessively ridiculous !” 

“ Oh ! one hardly dare to attach such consequences to acts 
of young men, or young women either, in an age as original 
as our own. I saw nothing particularly absurd but the intro- 
duction ; and so many absurder have since passed, that this is 
almost forgotten.” 

“And the name — ?” 

“ Is certainly a keen one. If I am not mistaken, when we 
were in Italy, you were content to let your servant bear it ; 
but, venturing among a people so noted for sagacity as the 
Yankees, I suppose you have fancied it was necessary to go 
armed cap-a-pie'^ 

Both laughed lightly, as if they equally enjoyed the pleas- 
antry, and then he resumed — 

“ But I sincerely hope you do not impute improper motives 
to the incognito ?” 

“ I impute it to that which makes many young men run 
from Rome to Vienna, or from Vienna to Paris ; which causes 
you to sell the vis-a-vis to buy a dormeuse ; to know your 
friends to-day, and to forget them to-morrow ; or, in short, to 
do a hundred other things that can be accounted for on no 
other motive.” 


10 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


‘‘And this motive — ?” 

“ Is simply capi-ice.” 

“ I wish I could persuade you to ascribe some better reason 
to all my conduct. Can you think of nothing, in the present 
instance, less discreditable ?” 

“ Perhaps I can,” Eve answered, after a moment of thought ; 
then laughing lightly again, she added, quickly, “ But I fear, 
in exonerating you from the charge of unmitigated caprice, 
I shall ascribe a reason that does little less credit to your 
knowledge.” 

“ This will appear in the end. Does Mademoiselle Yiefville 
remember me, do you fancy ?” 

“ It is impossible ; she was ill, you will remember, the three 
months we saw so much of you.” 

“ And your father. Miss Effingham ; am I really forgotten by 
him?” 

“ I am quite certain you are not. He never forgets a face, 
whatever in this instance may have befallen the name.” 

“ He received me so coldly, and so much like a total stran- 
ger !” 

“ He is too well-bred to recognize a man who wishes to be 
unknown, or to indulge in exclamations qf surprise, or in dra- 
matic starts. He is more stable than a girl, moreover, and 
may feel less indulgence to caprice.” 

“ I feel obliged to his reserve ; for exposure would be ridicu- 
lous, and -so long as you and he alone know me, I shall feel 
less awkward in the ship. I am certain neither will betray me.” 

“ Betray !” 

“ Betray, discover, annihilate me if you will. Any thing is 
preferable to ridicule.” 

“ This touches a little on the caprice ; but you flatter your- 
self with too much security ; you are known to one more be- 
sides my father, myself, and the honest man whom you have 
robbed of all his astuteness, which I believe was in his name.” 

“ For pity’s sake, who can it be ?” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


VI 


“ The worthy Nanny Sidley, my whilom nurse, and actual 
femme de chambre. No ogre was ever more vigilant on his 
ward than the faithful Nanny, and it is vain to suppose she does 
not recall your features.” 

“ But ogres sometimes sleep ; recollect how many have been 
overcome in that situation.” 

Eve smiled, but shook her head. She was about to assure 
Mr. Sharp of the vanity of his belief, when an exclamation from 
her governess diverted the attention of both, and before either 
had time to speak again. Mademoiselle turned to them, and 
said rapidly in French — 

“ I assure you, ma ch^re, I should have mistaken monsieur 
for a compatriote^ by his language, were it not for a single 
heinous fault that he has just committed.” 

“ Which fault you will suffer me to inquire into, that I may 
hasten to correct it ?” asked Mr. Blunt. 

“ Mais^ monsieur, you speak too perfectly, too grammatically, 
for a native. You do not take the liberties with the language 
that one who feels he owns it thinks he has a right to do. It 
is the fault of too much correctness.” 

“ And a fault it easily becomes. I thank you for the hint, 
mademoiselle ; but as I am now going where little French will 
be heard, it is probable it will soon be lost in greater mistakes.” 

The two then turned away again, and continued the dialogue 
that had been interrupted by this trifling. 

“ There may also be one more to whom you are known,” 
continued Eve, as soon as the vivacity of the discourse of the 
others satisfled her the remark would not be heard. 

“ Surely, you cannot mean him P 

“ Surely, I do mean him. Are you quite certain that ‘ Mr. 
Sharp, Mr. Blunt ; Mr. Blunt, Mr. Sharp,’ never saw each other 
before ?” 

“ I think not until the moment we entered the boat in com- 
pany. He is a gentlemanly young man ; he seems even to be 
more, and one would not be apt to forget him. He is alto- 


V2 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


gethcr superior to the rest of the set : do you not agree with 
me ?” 

Eve made no answer, probably because she thought her com- 
panion was not suflSciently intimate to interrogate her on the 
subject of her opinions of others. Mr. Sharp had too much 
knowledge of the world not to perceive the little mistake he 
had made, and after begging the young lady, with a ludicrous 
deprecation of her mercy, not to betray him, he changed the 
conversation with the tact of a man who saw that the discourse 
could not be continued without assuming a confidential char- 
acter that Eve was indisposed to permit. Luckily, a pause in 
the discourse between the governess and her colloquist per- 
mitted a happy turn to the conversation. 

“ I believe you are an American, Mr. Blunt,” he remarked ; 
“ and as I am an Englishman, we may be fairly pitted against 
each other on this important question of international law, and 
about which I hear our worthy captain flourishing extracts from 
Vattel as familiarly as household terms. I hope, at least, you 
agree with me in thinking that when the sloop-of-war comes 
up with us, it will be very silly on our part to make any objec- 
tions to being boarded by her ?” 

“ I do not know that it is at all necessary I should be an 
American to give an opinion on such a point,” returned the 
young man he addressed, courteously, though he smiled to 
himself as he answered — “For what is right, is right, quite 
independent of nationality. It really does appear to me that a 
public-armed vessel ought, in war or peace, to have a right to 
ascertain the character of all merchant ships, at least on the 
coast of the country to which the cruisers belong. Without 
this power, it is not easy to see in what manner they can seize 
smugglers, capture pirates, or otherwise enforce the objects for 
which such vessels are usually sent to sea, in the absence of 
positive hostilities.” 

“ I am happy to find you agreeing with me, then, in the le- 
gality of the doctrine of the right of search.” 


homeward bound. 


73 


Paul Blunt again smiled, and Eve, as slie caught a glimpse 
of his fine countenance in turning in their short walk, fancied 
there was a concealed pride of reason in the expression. Still 
he answered as mildly and quietly as before — 

“ The right of search, certainly, to attain these ends, but to 
attain no more. If nations denounce piracy, for instance, and 
employ especial agents to detect and overcome the freebooters, 
there is reason in according to these agents all the rights that 
are requisite to the discharge of the duties*; but, in conceding 
this much, I do not see that any authority is acquired beyond 
that which immediately belongs to the particular service to be 
performed. If we give a man permission to enter our house to 
look for thieves, it does not follow that, because so admitted, 
he has a right to exercise any other function. 1 do believe 
that the ship in chase of us, as a public cruiser, ought to be 
allowed to board this vessel ; but finding nothing contrary to 
the laws of nations about her, that she will have no power to 
detain or otherwise molest her. Even the right I concede 
ought to be exercised in good faith, and without vexatious 
abuses.” 

But, surely, you must think that in carrying ofl* a refugee 
from justice we have placed ourselves in the wrong, and cannot 
object, as a principle, to the poor man’s being taken back again 
into the country fi'om which he has escaped, however much we 
may pity the hardships of the particular case ?” 

“ I much question if Captain Truck will be disposed to rea- 
son so vaguely. In the first place, he will be apt to say that 
his ship was regularly cleared, and that he had authority to 
sail ; that in permitting the officer to search his vessel, while in 
British waters, he did all that could be required of him, the 
law not compelling him to be either a bailiff or an informer ; 
that the process issued was to take Davis, and not to detain the 
Montauk ; that once out of British waters, American la’\v gov- 
erns, and the English functionary became an intruder, of whom 
he had every right to rid himself; and that the process by 

4 


*74 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


which he got his power to act at all became impotent the in- 
stant it was without the jurisdiction under which it was granted.” 

“ I think you will find the captain of yonder cruiser indis- 
posed to admit this doctrine.” 

“ That is not impossible ; men often preferring abuses to being 
thwarted in their wishes. But the captain of yonder cruiser 
might as well go on board a foreign vessel of war, and pretend 
to a right to command her, in virtue of the commission by 
which he commands his own ship, as to pretend to find reason 
or law in doing what you seem to predict.” 

“ I rejoice to hear that the poor man cannot now be torn 
from his wife,” exclaimed Eve. 

“ You then incline to the doctrine of Mr. Blunt, Miss EflSng- 
ham?” observed the other controversialist a little reproach- 
fully. “ I fear you make it a national question.” 

“ Perhaps I have done what all seem to have done, permitted 
sympathy to get the better of reason. And yet it would re- 
quire strong proof to persuade me that villanous-looking attor- 
ney was engaged in a good cause, and that meek and warm- 
hearted wife in a bad one !” 

Both the gentlejnen smiled, and both turned to the fair 
speaker, as if inviting her to proceed. But Eve checked herself, 
having already said more than became her, in her own opinion. 

“ I had hoped to find an ally in you, Mr. Blunt, to sustain 
the claim of England to seize her own seamen when found on 
board of vessels of another nation,” resumed Mr. Sharp, when a 
respectful pause had shown both the young men that they need 
expect nothing more from iheir fair companion ; “but I fear I 
must set you down as belonging to those who wish to see the 
power of England reduced, coiite qui coiite'' 

This was receiyed as it was meant, or as a real opinion veiled 
under pleas^infry. 

“ I certainly do not wish to see her power maintained, coiite 
qui returned the other, laughing ; “ and in this opinion, 

I believe, I may claim both these ladies as allies.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


75 


“ Certainemmt /” exclaimed Mademoiselle Viefville, who was 
a living proof that the feelings created by centuries of animos- 
ity are not to be subdued by a few flourishes of the pen. 

“ As for me, Mr. Sharp,” added Eve, “ you may suppose, be- 
ing an American girl, I cannot subscribe to the right of any 
country to do us injustice ; but I beg you will not include me 
among those who wish to see the land of my ancestors wronged 
in aught that she may rightfully claim as her due.” 

“ This is powerful support, and I shall rally to the rescue. 
Seriously, then, will you allow me to inquire, sir, if you think 
the right of England to the services of her seamen can be de- 
nied?” 

“ Seriously then, Mr. Sharp, you must permit me to ask if you 
mean by force, or by reason ?” 

“ By the latter, certainly.” 

“ I think you have taken the weak side of the English argu- 
ment ; the nature of the service that the Subject, or the citizen, 
as it is now the fashion to say at Paris, mademoiselle — ” 

“ Tant pisj' muttered the governess. 

“ Owes his government,” continued the young man, slightly 
glancing at Eve, at the interruption — “ is purely a point of in- 
ternal regulation. In England there is compulsory service for 
seamen without restriction, or what is much the same, without 
an equal protection ; in France, it is compulsory service on a 
general plan ; in America, as respects seamen, the service is 
still voluntary.” 

“ Your pardon ; — will the institutions of America permit im- 
pressment at all ?” 

“ I should think, not indiscriminate impressment ; though I 
do not see why laws might not be enacted to compel drafts for 
the ships of war, as well as for the army : but this is a point 
that some of the professional gentlemen on board, if there be 
any such, might better answer than myself.” 

“ The skill with which you have touched on these subjects 
to-night, had made me hope to have found such a one in you ; 


*76 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


for to a traveller, it is always desirable to enter a country with a 
little preparation, and a ship might offer as much temptation 
to teach as to learn.” 

“ If you suppose me an American lawyer^ you give me credit 
for more than I can lay claim to.” 

As he hesitated. Eve wondered whether the slight emphasis 
he had laid on the two words we have italicised, was heaviest 
on that which denoted the country, or on that which denoted 
the profession. 

“ I have been much in America, and have paid a little atten- 
tion to the institutions, but should be sorry to mislead you into 
the belief that I am at all infallible on such points,” Mr. Blunt 
continued. 

“ You were about to touch on impressment.” 

“ Simply to say that it is a municipal national power ; one in 
no degree dependent on general principles, and that it can 
properly be exercised in no situation in which the exercise of 
municipal or national powers is forbidden. I can believe that 
this power may be exercised on board American ships in Brit- 
ish waters — or at least that it is a more plausible right in such 
situations; but I cannot think it can be rightfully exercised 
anywhere else. I do not think England would submit to such 
a practice an hour, reversing the case, and admitting her pres- 
ent strength ; and an appeal of this sort is a pretty good test of 
principle.” 

“ Ay, ay, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, 
as Vattel says,” interrupted Captain Truck, who had overheard 
the last speech or two: “not that he says this in so many 
words, but then, he has the sentiment at large scattered through- 
out his writings. For that matter, there is little that can be 
said on a subject that he does not put before his readers as 
plainly as Beachy Head lies before the navigator of the British 
Channel. With Bowditch and Vattel, a man might sail round 
the globe, and little fear of a bad landfall, or a mistake in prin- 
ciples. My present object is to tell you, ladies, that the steward 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


11 

has reported the supper in waiting for the honor of your pres- 
ence.” 

Before quitting the deck, the party inquired into the state of 
the chase, and the probable intentions of the sloop-of-war. 

“We are now on the great highway of nations,” returned 
Mr. Truck, “ and it is my intention to travel it without jostling, 
or being jostled. As for the sloop, she is standing out under a 
press of canvas, and we are standing from her in nearly a 
straight line, in like circumstances. She is some eight or ten 
miles astern of us ; and there is an old saying among seamen 
that ‘ a stem chase is a long chase.’ I do not think our case is 
about to make an exception to the rule. I shall not pretend to 
say what will be the upshot of the matter ; but there is not the 
ship in the British navy that can gain ten miles on the Mon- 
tauk, in her present trim, and with this breeze, in as many hours ; 
so we are quit of her for the present.” 

The last words were uttered just as Eve put her foot on the 
step to descend into the cabin. 


78 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER VI. 

“ Trim,. Stephano, — 

Steph, Doth thy other mouth call me ? Mercy I Mercy 1” 

Tempest. 

The life of a packet steward is one of incessant mixing and 
washing, of interrogations and compoundings, all in a space of 
about twelve feet square. These functionaries, usually clever 
mulattoes who have caught the civilization of the kitchen, are 
busy from morning till night in their cabins, preparing dishes, 
issuing orders, regulating courses, starting corks, and answer- 
ing questions. Apathy is the great requisite for the station ; 
for woe betide the wretch who fancies any modicum of zeal, or 
good-nature, can alone fit him for the occupation. From the 
moment the ship sails until that in which a range of the cable 
is overhauled, or the chain is rowsed up in readiness to anchor, 
no smile illumines his face, no tone issues from his voice while 
on duty, but that of dogged routine — of submission to those 
above, or of snarling authority to those beneath him. As the 
hour for the “ drink gelt,” or “ buona mana,” approaches, how- 
ever, he becomes gracious and smiling. On his first appear- 
ance in the pantry of a morning, he has a regular series of 
questions to answer, and for which, like the dutiful Zeluco, who 
wrote all his letters to his mother on the same day, varying the 
dates to suit the progress of time, he not unfrequently has a 
regular set of answers cut and dried, in his gastronomical mind. 
“How’s the wind?” “How’s the weather?” “How’s her 
head ?” all addressed to this standing almanac, are mere mat- 
ters of course, for which he is quite prepared, though it is by 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


79 


no means unusual to hear him ordering a subordinate to go on 
deck, after the answer is given, with a view to ascertain the facts. 
It is only when the voice of the captain is heard from his state- 
room, that he conceives himself bound to be very particular, 
though such is the tact of all connected with ships, that they in- 
stinctively detect the “know nothings,” who are uniformly treat- 
ed with an indifference suited to their culpable ignorance. Even 
the “ old salt” on the forecastle has an instinct for a brother 
tar, though a passenger, and a due respect is paid to Neptune 
in answering his inquiries, while half the time the maiden trav- 
eller meets with a grave equivoque, a marvel, or a downright 
mystification. 

On the first morning out, the steward of the Montauk com- 
menced the dispensation of his news ; for no sooner was he 
heard rattling the glasses, and shuffling plates in the pantry, 
than the attack was begun by Mr. Dodge, in “ whom a lauda- 
ble thirst after knowledge,” as exemplified in putting questions, 
was rather a besetting principle. This gentleman had come 
out in the ship, as has been mentioned, and unfortunately for 
the interest of his propensity, not only the steward, but all on 
board, had, as it is expressed in slang language, early taken the 
measure of his foot. The result of his present application was 
the following brief dialogue. 

“ Steward,” called out Mr. Dodge, through the blinds of his 
stateroom, “ whereabouts are we ?” 

“ In the British Channel, sir.” 

“ I might have guessed that myself.” 

“ So I s’pose, sir ; nobody is better at guessing and diwining 
than Mr. Dodge.” 

“ But in what part of the Channel are we, Saunders ?” 

“ About the middle, sir.” 

“ How far have we come to-night ?” 

“ From Portsmouth Roads to this place, sir.” 

Mr. Dodge was satisfied, and the steward, who would not 
have dared to be so explicit with any other cabin passenger. 


80 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


continued coolly to mix an omelette. . The next attack was 
made from the same room, by Sir George Templemore. 

“ Steward, my good fellow, do you happen to know wherea- 
bouts we are ?” 

“ Certainly, sir ; the land is still werry obwious.” 

“ Are we getting on cleverly ?” 

“ Nicely^ sir with a mincing emphasis on the first word, 
that betrayed there was a litle waggery about the grave-look- 
ing mulatto. 

“ And the sloop-of-war, steward 

“ Nicely too, sir.” 

There was a shuffling in the stateroom, followed by a silence. 
The door of Mr. Sharp’s room was now opened an inch or two, 
and the following questions issued through the crevice : 

“ Is the wind favorable, steward ?” 

“ Just her character, sir ?” 

“ Do you mean that the wind is favorable 

“ For the Montauk, sir ; she’s a persuader in this breeze.” 

“ But is she going in the direction we wish ?” 

“If the gentleman wishes to perambulate America, it is 
probable he will get there with a little patience.” 

Mr. Sharp pulled-to his door, and ten .minutes passed without 
further questions ; the steward beginning to hope the morning 
catechism was over, though he grumbled a wish that gentle- 
men would “ turn out” and take a look for themselves. Now, 
up to this moment, Saunders knew no more, than those who 
had just been questioning him of the particular situation of the 
ship, in which he floated as indifierent to the whereabouts and 
the winds, as men sail in the earth along its orbit, without be- 
thinking them of parallaxes, nodes, ecliptics, and solstices. 
Aware that it was about time for the captain to be heard, he 
sent a subordinate on deck, with a view to be ready to meet 
the usual questions from his commander. A couple of minutes 
were sufflcient to put him an courant of the real state of things. 
The next door that opened was that of Paul Blunt, however, 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


81 


who thrust his head into the cabin, with all his dark curls in 
the confusion of a night scene. 

“ Steward !” 

“Sir.” 

“ How’s the wind 
“ Quite exhilarating, sir.” 

“ From what quarter 2” 

“ About south, sir.” 

“ Is there much of it 2” 

“ A prewailing breeze, sir.” 

“ And the sloop 2” 

“ She’s to leeward, sir, operating along as fast as she can.” 

“ Steward!” 

“ Sir,” stepping hurriedly out of his pantry, in order to hear 
more distinctly. 

“ Under what sail are we 2” 

“ Topgallant-sails, sir.” 

“ How’s her head 2” 

“ West-southwest, sir.” 

“ Delicious ! Any news of the rover 2” 

“ Hull down to leeward, sir, and on our quarter.” 

“ Staggering along, eh 2” 

“ Quite like a disguised person, sir.” 

“ Better still. Huriy along that breakfast of yours, sir ; I 
am as hungry as a Troglodyte.” 

The honest captain had caught this word from a recent trea- 
tise against agrarianism, and having an acquired taste for orders 
in one sense, at least, he flattered himself with being what is 
called a Conservative ; in other words, he had a strong relish for 
that maxim of the Scotch freebooter, which is rendered into 
English by the comely aphorism of “keep what you’ve got, 
and get what you can.” 

A cessation of the interrogatories took place, and soon after 
the passengers began to appear in the cabin, one by one. As 
the first step is almost invariably to go on deck, especially in 
• 4.* 


82 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


good weather, in a few minutes nearly all of the last night’s 
party were again assembled in the open air, a balm that none 
can appreciate but those who have experienced the pent atmos- 
phere of a crowded vessel. The steward had rendered a faith- 
ful account of the state of the weather to the captain, who was 
now seen standing in the main-rigging, looking at the clouds to 
windward, and at the sloop-of-war to leeward, in the knowing 
manner of one who was making comparisons materially to 
the disadvantage of the latter. 

The day was fine, and the Montauk, bearing her canvas nobly, 
was, to use the steward’s language, also staggering along, under 
every thing that would draw, from her topgallant-sails down, 
with the wind near two points forward of the beam, or on an 
easy bowline. As there was but little sea, her rate was quite 
nine knots, though varying with the force of the wind. The 
cruiser had certainly followed them thus far, though doubts 
began to be entertained whether she was in chase, or merely 
bound like themselves to the westward ; a course common to 
all vessels that wish to clear the Channel, even when it is in- 
tended to go south, as the rocks and tides of the French coast 
are inconvenient neighbors in long nights. 

“ Who knows, after all, that the cutter which tried to board 
us,” asked the captain aloud, “ belongs to the ship to leeward ?” 

“ I know the boat, sir,” answered the second mate ; “ and the 
ship is the Foam.” 

“ Let her foam away, then, if she wishes to speak us. Has 
any one tried her bearings since daylight ?” 

“We set her by the compass at six o’clock, sir, and she has 
not varied her bearing, as far as from one belaying pin to an- 
other, in three hours ; but her hull rises fast : you can now 
make out her ports, and at daylight the bottom of her courses 
dipped.” 

“ Ay, ay, she is a light-going Foam, then ? If that is the 
case, she will be alongside of us by night.” 

“ In which event, captain, you will be obliged to give him a 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


83 


broadside of Vattel,” threw in John EflSngham, in his cool 
manner. 

“ If that will answer his errand, he is welcome to as much as 
he can carry. I begin to doubt, gentlemen, whether this fellow 
be not in earnest : in which case you may have an opportunity 
of witnessing how ships are handled, when seamen have their 
management. I have no objection to setting the experience of 
a poor come-and-go sort of a fellow, like myself, in opposition 
to the geometry and Hamilton Moore of a young man-of-war’s 
man. I dare say, now, yonder chap is a lord, or a lord’s pro- 
geny, while poor Jack Truck is just as you see him.” 

“ Do you not think half-an-hour of compliance on our part 
might bring the matter to an amicable conclusion at once ?” 
said Paul Blunt. “ Were we to run down to him, the object 
of his pursuit could be determined in a few minutes.” 

“What! and abandon poor Davis to the rapacity of that 
rascally attorney ?” generously exclaimed Sir George Temple- 
more. “ I would prefer paying the port-charges myself, run 
into the handiest French port, and let the honest fellow 
escape 1” 

“ There is no probability that a cruiser would attempt to take 
a mere debtor from a foreign vessel on the open sea.” 

“ If there were no tobacco in the world, Mr. Blunt, I might 
feel disposed to waive the categories, and show the gentleman 
that courtesy,” returned the captain, who was preparing another 
cigar. “ But while the cruiser might not feel authorized to 
take an absconding debtor from this vessel, he might feel other- 
wise on the subject of tobacco, provided there has been an in- 
formation for smuggling.” 

Captain Truck then explained, that the subordinates of the 
packets frequently got their ships into trouble, by taking ad- 
ventures of the forbidden weed clandestinely into European 
ports, and that his ship, in such circumstances, would lose her 
place in the line, and derange all the plans of the company to 
which she belonged. He did the English government the jus- 


84 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


tice to say, that it had always manifested a liberal disposition 
not to punish the innocent for the guilty ; but were any such 
complaints actually in the wind, he thought he could settle it 
with much less loss to himself on his return, than on the day 
of sailing. While this explanation was delivered, a group had 
clustered round the speaker, leaving Eve and her party on the 
opposite side of the deck. 

“ This last speech of Mr. Blunt’s quite unsettles my opinion 
of his national character, as Yattel and our worthy captain 
would say,” remarked Mr. Sharp. “ Last night, I set him down 
as a right loyal American ; but I think it would not he natural 
for a thorough-going countryman of yours, Miss Effingham, to 
propose this act of courtesy to a cruiser of King William.” 

“ How far any countrymen of mine, thorough-going or not, 
have reason to manifest extreme courtesy to any of your 
cruisers,” Eve laughingly replied, “ I shall leave Captain Track 
to say. But, with you, I have long been at a loss to determine 
whether Mr. Blunt is an Englishman or an American, or in- 
deed, whether he be either.” 

“ Long, Miss Effingham ! He then has the honor of being 
well known to you ?” 

Eve answered steadily, though the color mounted to her 
brow; but whether from the impetuous exclamation of her 
companion, or from any feeling connected with the subject of 
their conversation, the young man was at a loss to discover. 

“Long, as girls of twenty count time — some four or five 
years ; but you may judge how well, when I tell you I am 
ignorant of his country even.” 

“ And may I venture to ask which do you, yourself, give him 
credit for being, an American or an Englishman ?” 

Eve’s bright eyes laughed, as she answered, “You have put 
the question with so much finesse, and with a politeness so well 
managed, that I should indeed be churlish to refuse an answer : 
— Nay, do not interrupt me, and spoil all the good you have 
done by unnecessary protestations of sincerity.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


85 


All I wish to say is, to ask an explanation of a finesse, of 
which I am quite as innocent as of any wish to draw down upon 
myself the visitations of your displeasure.” 

“Do you, then, really conceive it a credit to be an Ameri- 
can ?” 

“Nobody of less modesty than yourself. Miss EflBngham, 
under all the circumstances, would dream of asking the ques- 
tion.” 

“ I thank you for the civility, which must be taken as it is 
offered, I presume, quite as a thing en regie ; but to leave our 
fine opinions of each other, as well as our prejudices, out of the 
question — ” 

“ You will excuse me if I object to this, for I feel my good 
sense implicated. You can hardly attribute to me opinions so 
utterly unreasonable, so unworthy of a gentleman — so unfound- 
ed, in short ! Am I not incurring all the risks and hardships 
of a long sea-voyage, expressly to visit your great country, and, 
I trust, to improve by its example and society ?” 

“ Since you appear to wish it, Mr. Sharp — ” Eve glanced her 
playful eye up at him as she pronounced the name — “ I will be 
as credulous as a believer in animal magnetism ; and that, I 
fancy, is pushing credulity to the verge of reason. It is now 
settled between us, that you do conceive it an honor to be an 
American, born, educated, and by extraction.” 

“ All of which being the case with Miss EflSngham.” 

“ All but the second ; indeed, they write me fearful things 
concerning this European education of mine : some even go so 
far as to assure me I shall be quite unfitted to live in the socie- 
ty to which I properly belong !” 

“ Europe will be rejoiced to receive you back again, in that 
case ; and no European more so than myself.” 

The beautiful color deepened a little on the cheek of Eve, but 
she made no immediate reply. 

“To return to our subject,” she at length said: “Were I 
required to say, I should not be able to decide on the country 


86 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


of Mr. Blunt ; nor have I ever met with any one who appeared 
to know. I saw him first in Germany, where he circulated in 
the best company ; though no one seemed acquainted with his 
history, even there. He made a good figure ; was quite at his 
ease ; speaks several languages almost as well as the natives of 
the different countries themselves ; and, altogether, was a sub- 
ject of curiosity with those who had leisure to think of any 
thing hut their own dissipation and folly.” 

Mr. Sharp listened with obvious gravity to the fair speaker, 
and had not her own eyes been fastened on the deck, she might 
have detected the lively interest betrayed in his. Perhaps the 
feeling which was at the bottom of all this, to a slight degree, 
infiuenced his answer. 

“ Quite an Admirable Crichton !” 

“ I do not say that, though certainly expert in tongues. My 
own rambling life has made me acquainted with a few lan- 
guages, and I do assure you, this gentleman speaks three or 
four with almost equal readiness, and with no perceptible 
accent. I remember, at Vienna, many even believed him to be 
a German.” 

“ What ! with the name of Blunt ?” 

Eve smiled, and her companion, who silently watched every 
expression of her varying countenance, as if to read her thoughts, 
noted it. 

“ Names signify little in these migratory times,” returned the 
young lady. “You have but to imagine a v(m before it, and 
it would pass at Dresden, or at Berlin. Von Blunt, der Edel- 
gehorne Graf Von Blunt, Hofrath—or if you like it better, 
Geheimer Rath mit Excellenz und eure GnadenP 

“ Or, Baw-Berg- Veg-Inspector-Suhstitut .'” added Mr. Sharp, 
laughing. “ No, no I this will hardly pass. Blunt is a good 
old English name ; but it has not finesse enough for Italian, 
German, Spanish, or any thing else but John Bull and his 
family.” 

“ I see no necessity, for my part, for all this Bluntish- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


87 


ness; the gentleman may think frankness a good travelling 
quality.” 

“ Surely, he has not concealed his real name !” 

“ Mr. Sharp, Mr. Blunt ; Mr. Blunt, Mr. Sharp,” rejoined 
Eve, laughing until her bright eyes danced with pleasure. 

There would be something ridiculous, indeed, in seeing so 
much of the finesse of a master of ceremonies subjected to so 
profound a mystification ! I have been told that passing intro- 
ductions amount to little among you men, and this would be a 
case in point.” 

“ I would I dared ask if it be really so.” 

“Were I to be guilty of indiscretion in another’s case, you 
would not fail to distrust me in your own. I am, moreover, a 
Protestant, and abjure auricular confessions.” 

“You will not frown if I inquire whether the rest of your 
party remember him ?” 

“ My father. Mademoiselle Viefville, and the excellent Nanny 
Sidley, again ; but, I think, none other of the servants, as he 
never visited us. Mr. John Efiingham was travelling in Egypt at 
the time, and did not see him at all, and we only met in general 
society ; Nanny’s acquaintance was merely that of seeing him 
check his horse in the Prater, to speak to us of a morning.” 

“ Poor fellow, I pity him ; he has, at least, never had the 
happiness of strolling on the shores of Como and the islands 
of Laggo Maggiore in your company, or of studying the wonders 
of the Pitti and the Vatican.” 

“ If I must confess all, he journeyed with us on foot and in 
boats an entire month, among the wonders of the Oberland, and 
across the Wallenstadt. This was at a time when we had no 
one with us but the regular guides and the German courier, 
who was discharged in London.” 

“ Were it not for the impropriety of tampering with a serv- 
ant, I would cross the deck and question your good Nanny, this 
moment !” said Mr. Sharp with playful menace. “Of all torture, 
that of suspense is the hardest to be borne.” 


88 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“I grant you full permission, and acquit you of all sins, 
whether of disrespect, meanness, impertinence, ungentlemanlike 
practices, or any other vice that may be thought to attend and 
characterize the act.” 

“ This formidable array of qualities would check the curiosity 
of a village gossip !” 

“ It has an effect I did not intend, then ; I wish you to put 
your threat in execution.” 

“ Not seriously, surely ?” 

“ Never more so. Take a favorable moment to speak to the 
good soul, as an old acquaintance ; she remembers you well, 
and by a little of that interrogating management you possess, 
a favorable opportunity may occur to bring in the other subject. 
In the mean time, I will glance over the pages of this book.” 

As Eve began to read, Mr. Sharp perceived she was in earnest ; 
and hesitating a moment, in doubt of the propriety of the act, 
he yielded to her expressed desire, and strolled carelessly to- 
wards the faithful old domestic. He addressed her indifferently 
at first, until believing he might go further, he smilingly ob- 
served that he believed he had seen her in Italy. To this 
Nanny quietly assented ; and when he indirectly added that it 
was under another name, she smiled, but merely intimated her 
consciousness of the fact, by a quick glance of the eye. 

“ You know that travellers assume names for the sake of avoid- 
ing curiosity,” he added, “ and I hope you will not betray me.” 

“ You need not fear me, sir; I meddle with little besides my 
own duty, and so long as Miss Eve appears to think there is 
no harm in it, I will venture to say it is no more than a gentle- 
man’s caprice.” 

“ Why, that is the very word she applied to it herself ! You 
have caught the term from Miss Efiingham.” 

“ Well, sir, and if I have, it is caught from one who deals 
little harm to any.” 

“ I believe I am not the only one on board who travels under 
a false name, if the truth were known ?” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


89 


Nanny looked first at the deck, then at her interrogator’s 
fac'e, next towards Mr. Blunt, withdrawing her eye again, as if 
guilty of an indiscretion, and finally at the sails. Perceiving 
her embarrassment respecting her discretion, and ashamed of 
the task he had undertaken, Mr. Sharp said a few civil things 
suited to the condition of the woman, and sauntering about the 
deck for a short time, to avoid suspicion, soon found himself 
once more alongside of Eve. The latter inquired with her 
eyes, a little exultingly, perhaps, concerning his success. 

“ I have failed,” he said ; “ but something must be ascribed 
to my own awkward difiidence ; for there is so much meanness 
in tampering with a servant, that I had not the heart to push 
my questions, even while I am devoured by curiosity.” 

“ Your fastidiousness is not a disease with which all on board 
are afflicted, for there is at least one grand inquisitor among 
us, by what I can learn ; so take heed to your sins, and above 
all, be very guarded of old letters, marks, and other tell-tales, 
that usually expose impostors.” 

“ To all that, I believe, sufficient care has already been had, 
by that other Dromio, my own man.” 

“ And in what way do you share the name between you ? 
Is it Dromio of Syracuse, and Dromio of Ephesus ? or does 
John call himself Fitz-Edward, or Mortimer, or De Courcy ?” 

“He has complaisance enough to make the passage with 
nothing but a Christian name, I believe. In truth, it was by 
a mere accident that I turned usurper in this way. He took 
the stateroom for me, and being required to give a name, he 
gave his own, as usual. When I went to the docks to look at 
the ship, I was saluted as Mr. Sharp, and then the conceit took 
me of trying how it would wear for a month or six weeks. I 
would give the world to know if the Geheimer Bath got his 
cognomen in the same honest manner.” 

“ I think not, as his man goes by the pungent title of Pepper. 
Unless poor John should have occasion for two names during 
the passage, you are reasonably safe. And still, I think,” con- 


90 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


tinued Eve, biting her lips, like one who deliberated, “ if it were 
any longer polite to bet, Mr. John Effingham would hazard all 
the French gloves in his trunks, against all the English finery 
in yours, that the inquisitor just hinted at gets at your secret 
before we arrive. Perhaps I ought rather to say, ascertains 
that you are not Mr. Sharp, and that Mr. Blunt is.” 

Her companion entreated her to point out the person to 
whom she had given the sobriquet she mentioned. 

“ Accuse me of giving nicknames to no one. The man has 
this title from Mademoiselle Viefville, and his own great deeds. 
It is a certain Mr. Steadfast Dodge, who, it seems, knows some- 
thing of us, from the circumstance of living in the same county, 
and who, from knowing a little in this comprehensive manner, 
is desirous of knowing a great deal more.” 

“ The natural result of all useful knowledge.” 

“Mr. John Effingham, who is apt to fling sarcasms at all 
lands, his native country included, affirms that this gentleman 
is but a fair specimen of many more it will be our fortune to 
meet in America. If so, we shall not long be strangers ; for, 
according to Mademoiselle Viefville and my good Nanny, he 
has already communicated to them a thousand interesting par- 
ticulars of himself, in exchange for which he asks no more 
than the reasonable compensation of having all his questions 
concerning us truly answered.” 

“ This is certainly alarming intelligence, and I shall take 
heed accordingly.” 

“ If he discover that John is without a surname, I am far 
from certain he will not prepare to have him arraigned for some 
high crime or misdemeanor ; for Mr. John Effingham maintains 
that the besetting propensity of all this class is to divine the 
worst, the moment their imaginations cease to be fed with facts. 
All is false with them, and it is flattery or accusation.” 

The approach of Mr. Blunt caused a cessation of the dis- 
course, Eve betraying a slight degree of sensitiveness about ad- 
mitting him to share in these little asides, a circumstance that 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


91 


her companion observed, not without satisfaction. The dis- 
course now became general, the person who joined them 
amusing the others with an account of several proposals already 
made by Mr. Dodge, which, as he expressed it, in making the 
relation, manifested the strong community-characteristics of an 
American. The first proposition was to take a vote to ascer- 
tain whether Mr. Van Buren or Mr. Harrison was the greatest 
favorite of the passengers ; and, on this being defeated, owing 
to the total ignorance of so many on board of both the parties 
he had named, he had suggested the expediency of establishing 
a society to ascertain, daily, the precise position of the ship. 
Captain Truck had thrown cold water on the last proposal, 
however, by adding to it what, among legislators, is called a 
“ rider he having drily suggested that one of the duties of 
the said society should be to ascertain also the practicability of 
wading across the Atlantic. 


92 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER VII. 

“When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks; 

When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand ; 

When the sun sets, who doth not look for night ? 

Untimely storms make men expect a dearth : 

All may he well ; but if God sort it so, 

’Tis more than we deserve, or I expect.” 

Eiohaed IIL 

These conversations, however, were mere episodes of the 
great business of the passage. Throughout the morning, the 
master was busy in rating his mates, giving sharp reprimands 
to the stewards and cooks, overhauling the log-line, introducing 
the passengers, seeing to the stowage of the anchors, in getting 
down the signal-pole, throwing in touches of Vattel, and other- 
wise superintending duty, and dispensing opinions. All this 
time, the cat in the grass does not watch the bird that hops 
along the ground with keener vigilance than he kept his eye 
on the Foam. To an ordinary observer, the two ships presented 
the familiar spectacle of vessels sailing in the same direction, 
with a very equal rate of speed ; and as the course was that 
necessary to clear the Channel, most of the passengers, and, 
indeed, the greater part of the crew, began to think the cruiser, 
like themselves, was merely bound to the westward. Mr. Truck, 
on the contrary, judging by signs and movements that more 
naturally suggested themselves to one accustomed to direct the 
evolutions of a ship, and to reason on their objects, than to the 
mere subjects of his will, thought differently. To him, the 
motive of the smallest change on board the sloop-of-war was 
as intelligible as if it had been explained in words, and he even 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


93 


foresaw many that were about to take place. Before noon, the 
Foam had got fairly abeam, and Mr. Leach, pointing out the 
circumstance, observed, that if her wish was to overhaul them, 
she ought then to tack ; it being a rule among seamen, that 
the pursuing vessel should turn to windward as often as she 
found herself nearest to her chase. But the experience of Cap- 
tain Truck taught him better ; the tide was setting into the 
Channel on the flood, and the wind enabled both ships to take 
the current on their lee-bows, a power that forced them up to 
windward ; whereas, by tacking, the Foam would receive the 
force of the stream on her weather broadside, or so nearly so, 
as to sweep her farther astern than her difierence in speed 
could easily repair. 

“ She has the heels of us, and she weathers on us, as it is,” 
grumbled the master; “and that might satisfy a man less 
modest. I have led the gentleman such a tramp already, that 
he will be in none of the best humors when he comes along- 
side, and we may make up our minds on seeing Portsmouth 
again before we see New York, unless a slant of wind, or the 
night, serve us a good turn. I trust, Leach, you have not been 
destroying your prospects in life by looking too wistfully at a 
tobacco-field ?” 

“ Not I, sir ; and if you will give me leave to say it. Captain 
Truck, I do not think a plug has been landed from the ship, 
which did not go ashore in a hona fide tobacco-box, that might 
appear in any court in England. The people will swear, tp a 
man, that this is true.” 

“ Ay, ay ! and the Barons of the Exchequer would be the 
greatest fools in England not to believe them. If there has 
been no defrauding the revenue, why does a cruiser follow this 
ship, a regular packet, to sea ?” 

“ This affair of the steerage passenger, Davis, sir, is probably 
the cause. The man may be heavily in debt, or possibly a de? 
faulter; for these rogues, when they break down, often fall 
lower than the ’twixt decks of a ship like this.” 


94 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“This will do to put the quarter-deck and cabin in good 
humor at sailing, and give them something to open an ac- 
quaintance with; but it is sawdust to none hut your new 
beginners. I have known that Seal this many a year, and 
the rogue never yet had a case that touched the quarter-deck. 
It is as the man and his wife say, and I’ll not give them up, 
out here in blue water, for as much foam as lies on Jersey 
beach after an easterly blow. It will not be any of the family 
of Davis that will satisfy yonder wind-eater ; but he will lay 
his hand on the whole family of the Montauk, leaving them 
the agreeable alternative of going back to Portsmouth in his 
pleasant society, or getting oqt here in mid-channel, and wading 

ashore as best they can. D me ! if I believe, Leach, that 

Vattel will bear the fellow out in it, even if there has been a 
whole hogshead of the leaves trundled into his island without 
a permit !” 

To this Mr. Leach had no encouraging answer to make, for, 
like most of his class, he held practical force in much greater 
respect than the abstractions of books. He deemed it prudent, 
therefore, to be silent, though greatly doubting the efficacy of 
a quotation from any authority on board, when fairly put in 
opposition to a written order from the admiral at Portsmouth, 
or even to a signal sent down from the Admiralty at London. 

The day wore away, making a gradual change in the relative 
positions of the two ships, though so slowly, as to give Captain 
Truck strong hopes of being able to dodge his pursuer in the 
coming night, which promised to be dark and squally. To re- 
turn to Portsmouth was his full intention, but not until he had 
first delivered his freight and passengers in New York ; for, 
like all men bound up body and soul in the performance of an 
especial duty, he looked on a frustration of his immediate object 
as a much greater calamity than even a double amount of more 
remote evil. Besides, he felt a strong reliance on the liberality 
of the English authorities in the end, and had little doubt of 
being able to extricate himself and his ship from any penalties 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


95 


to which the indiscretion or cupidity of his subordinates might 
have rendered him liable. 

Just as the sun dipped into the watery track of the Mon- 
tauk, most of the cabin passengers again appeared on deck, to 
take a look at the situation of the two vessels, and to form 
their own conjectures as to the probable result of the adven- 
ture. By this time the Foam had tacked twice, once to 
weather upon the wake of her chase, and again to resume her 
line of pursuit. The packet was too good a ship to be easily 
overtaken, and the cruiser was now nearly hulj-down astern, 
but evidently coming up at a rate that would bring her along- 
side before morning. The wind blew in squalls, a circum- 
stance that always aids a vessel of war, as the greater number 
of her hands enables them to make and shorten sail with ease 
and rapidity. 

“ This unsettled weather is as much as a mile an hour against 
us,” observed Captain Truck, who was far from pleased at the 
fact of his being outsailed by any thing that floated ; “ and, if 
truth must be said, I think that fellow has somewhere about 
half a knot the best of it, in the way of foot, on a bowline and 
with this breeze. But he has no cargo in, and they trim their 
boats like steelyards. Give us more wind, or a freer, and I 
would leave him to digest his orders, as a shark digests a mar- 
ling-spike or a ring-bolt, notwithstanding all his advantages ; 
for little good would it then do him to be trying to run into 
the wind’s eye, like a steam-tug. As it is, we must submit. 
We are certainly in a category, and be d d to it !” 

It was one of those wild-looking sunsets that are so frequent 
in the autumn, in which appearances are worse, perhaps, than 
the reality. The ships were now so near the Chops of the 
Channel that no land was visible, and the entire horizon pre- 
sented that chill and wintry aspect that belongs to gloomy and 
driving clouds, to which streaks of dull light serve more to 
give an appearance of infinite space than any of the relief of 
brightness. It was a dreary night-fall to a landsman’s eye ; 


96 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


though they who better understood the signs of the heavens, 
as they are exhibited on the ocean, saw little more than the 
promise of obscurity, and the usual hazards of darkness in a 
much-frequented sea. 

“This will be a dirty night,” observed John Effingham, “and 
we may have occasion to bring in some of the flaunting vanity 
of the ship, ere another morning returns.” 

“ The vessel appears to be in good hands,” returned Mr. Ef- 
fingham : “ I have watched them narrowly ; for, I know not why, 
I have felt more anxiety on the occasion of this passage than on 
any of the nine I have already made.” 

As he spoke, the tender father unconsciously bent his eyes on 
Eve, who leaned affectionately on his arm, steadying her light 
form against the pitching of the vessel. She understood his 
feelings better than he did himself, possibly, since, accustomed to 
his fondest care from childhood, she well knew that he seldom 
thought of others, or even of himself, while her own wants or 
safety appealed to his unwearying love. 

“ Father,” she said, smiling in hia wistful face, “ we have seen 
more troubled waters than these, far, and in a much frailer 
vessel. Do you not remember the Wallenstadt and its miser- 
able skiff? where I have heard you say there was really danger, 
though we escaped from it all with a little fright.” 

“ Perfectly well do I recollect it, love ; nor have I forgotten 
our brave companion, and his good service, at that critical mo- 
ment. But for his stout arm and timely succor we might not, 
as you say, have been quit for the fright.” 

Although Mr. Effingham looked only at his daughter, while 
speaking, Mr. Sharp, who listened with interest, saw the quick, 
retreating glance of Eve at Paul Blunt, and felt something like 
a chill in his blood as he perceived that her own cheeks seemed 
to reflect the glow which appeared on that of the young man. 
He alone observed this secret evidence of common interest in 
some event in which both had evidently been actors, those 
around them being too much occupied in the arrangements of 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


97 


the ship, and too little suspicious, to heed the trifling circum- 
stance. Captain Truck had ordered all hands called, to make 
sail, to the surprise of even the crew. The vessel, at the mo- 
ment, was staggering along under as much canvas as she could 
apparently bear, and the mates looked aloft with inquiring eyes, 
as if to ask what more could be done. 

The master soon removed all doubts. With a rapidity that 
is not common in merchant ships, but which is usual enough in 
the packets, the lower studding-sails, and two topmast studding- 
sails were prepared, and made ready for hoisting. As soon as 
the words “ all ready” were uttered, the helm was put up, the 
sails were set, and the Montauk was running with a free wind 
towards the narrow passage between the Scilly Islands and the 
Land’s End. Captain Truck was an expert Channel pilot, from 
long practice, and keeping the run of the tides in his head, he 
had loosely calculated that his vessel had so much ofiing as, 
with a free wind, and the great progress she had made in the 
last twenty-four hours, would enable him to lay through the 
pass. 

“ ’T is a ticklish hole to run into in a dirty night, with a 
staggering breeze,” he said, rubbing his hands as if the hazard 
increased his satisfaction, “ and we will now see if this Foam 
has mettle enough to follow.” 

“ The chap has a quick eye, and good glasses, even though 
he should want nerve for the Scilly rocks,” cried the mate, 
who was looking out from the mizzen rigging. “ There go his 
stun’-sails already, and a plenty of them !” 

Sure enough, the cruiser threw out her studding-sails, had 
them full and drawing in five minutes, and altered her course so 
as to follow the Montauk. There was now no longer any doubt 
concerning her object ; for it was hardly possible two vessels 
should adopt so bold a step as this, just at dark, and on such a 
night, unless the movements of one were regulated by the move- 
ments of the other. 

In the mean time, anxious faces began to appear on the quar- 
5 


98 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ter-deck, and Mr. Dodge was soon seen moving stealthily about 
among the passengers, whispering here, cornering there, and 
seemingly much occupied in canvassing opinions on the subject 
of the propriety of the step that the master had just taken ; 
though, if the truth must be told, he rather stimulated oppo- 
sition than found others prepared to meet his wishes. When 
he thought, however, he had collected a sufficient number of 
suffrages to venture on an experiment, that nothing but an in- 
herent aversion to shipwreck and a watery grave could em- 
bolden him to make, he politely invited the captain to a private 
conference in the stateroom occupied by himself and Sir George 
Templemore. Changing the venue^ as the lawyers term it, to 
his own little apartment, — no master of a packet willingly con- 
senting to transact business in any other place — Captain Truck, 
who was out of cigars at the moment, very willingly assented. 

When the two were seated, and the door of the room was 
closed, Mr. Dodge carefully snuffed the candle, looked about 
him to make sure there was no eave’s-dropper in a room eight 
feet by seven, and then commenced his subject, with what he 
conceived to be a commendable delicacy and discretion. 

“ Captain Truck,” he said, in a sort of low confidential tone 
that denotes equally concern and mystery, “ I think by this 
time you must have set me down as one of your warm and 
true friends and supporters. I came out in your ship, and, 
please God we escape the perils of the sea, it is my hope and 
intention to return home in her.” 

“ If not, friend Dodge,” returned the master, observing that 
the other paused to note the effect of his peroration, and using 
a familiarity in his address that the acquaintance of the former 
passage had taught him was not misapplied; “if not, friend 
Dodge, you have made a capital mistake in getting on' board 
of her, as it is by no means probable an occasion will offer to 
get out of her, until we fall in with a news-boat, or a pilot-boat, 
at least somewhere in the latitude and longitude of Sandy 
Hook. You smoke, T believe, sir.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


99 


“ I ask no better,” returned Steadfast, declining the offer ; “ I 
have told every one on the Continent,” — Mr. Dodge had been 
to Paris, Geneva, along the Rhine, and through Belgium and 
Holland, and in his eyes this was the Continent, — “ that no bet- 
ter ship or captain sails the ocean ; and you know, captain, I 
have a way with me, when I please, that causes what I say to 
be remembered.* Why, ray dear sir, I had an article extolling 
the whole line in the most appropriate terms, and this ship in par- 
ticular, put into the journal at Rotterdam. It was so well done, 
that not a soul suspected it came from a personal friend of yours.” 

The captain was rolling the small end of a cigar in his mouth 
to prepare it for smoking, the regulations of the ship forbidding 
any further indulgence below ; but when he received this assu- 
rance, he withdrew the tobacco with the sort of mystifying 
simplicity that gets to be a second nature with a regular votary 
of Neptune, and answered with a coolness of manner that was 
in ridiculous contrast to the affected astonishment of the words — 

“ The devil you did ! — Was it in good Dutch ?” 

“ I do not understand much of the language,” said Mr. Dodge, 
hesitatingly ; for all he knew, in truth, was yaw and nein^ and 
neither of these particularly well ; — “ but it looked to be un- 
commonly well expressed. I could do no more than pay a man 
to translate it. But to return to this affair of running in among 
the Scilly Islands such a night as this.” 

“ Return, my good fellow ! this is the first syllable you have 
said about the matter !” 

“ Concern on your account has caused me to forget myself. 
To be frank with you. Captain Truck, and if I weren’t your very 
best friend I should be silent, there is considerable excitement 
getting up about this matter.” 

“ Excitement ! what is that like ? — A sort of moral head-sea, 
do you mean ?” 

“ Precisely : and I must tell you the truth, though I had 
rather a thousand times not; but this change in the ship’s 
course is monstrous unpopular !” 


100 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


That is bad news, with a vengeance, Mr. Dodge ; I shall 
rely on you, as an old friend, to get up an opposition.” 

“ My dear captain, I have done all I could in that way 
already; but 1 never met with people so bent on a thing as 
most of the passengers. The Effinghams are very decided, 
though so purse-proud and grand ; Sir George Templemore de- 
clares it is quite extraordinary, and even the French lady is 
furious. To be as sincere as the crisis demands, public opinion is 
setting so strong against you, that I expect an explosion,” 

“ Well, so long as the tide sets in my favor, I must endeavor 
to bear it. Stemming a current, in or out of water, is up-hill 
work ; but with a good bottom, clean copper, and plenty of 
wind, it may be done.” 

“ It would not surprise me were the gentlemen to appeal to 
the general sentiment against you when we arrive, and make a 
handle of it against your line !” 

“It may be so indeed; but what can be done ? If we return, 
the Englishman will certainly catch us, and, in that case, my 
own opinion would be dead against me !” 

“ Well, well, captain ; I thought as a friend I would speak 
my mind. If this thing should really get into the papers in 
America, it would spread like fire in the prairies. You know 
what the papers are, I trust. Captain Truck ?” 

“ I rather think I do, Mr. Dodge, with many thanks for your 
hints, and I believe I know what the Scilly Islands are, too. 
The elections will be nearly or quite over by the time we get 
in, and, thank God, they’ll not be apt to make a party question 
of it, this fall at least. In the mean time rely on my keeping 
a good look-out for the shoals of popularity, and the quicksands 
of excitement. You smoke sometimes, I know, and I can rec- 
ommend this cigar as fit to regale the nose of that chap of 
Strasbourg — you read your Bible, I know, Mr. Dodge, and need 
not be told whom I mean. The steward will be happy to give 
you a light on deck, sir.” 

In this manner. Captain Truck, with the sang froid of an old 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


101 


tar, and the tact of a packet-master, got rid of his troublesome 
visitor, who departed, half suspecting that he had been quizzed, 
but still ruminating on the expediency of getting up a com- 
mittee, or at least a public meeting in the cabin, to follow up 
the blow. By the aid of the latter, could he but persuade Mr. 
Effingham to take the chair, and Sir George Templemore to act 
as secretary, he thought he might escape a sleepless night, and, 
what was of quite as much importance, make a figure in a 
paragraph on reaching home. 

Mr. Dodge, whose Christian name, thanks to a pious an- 
cestry, was Steadfast, partook of the qualities that his two ap- 
pellations not inaptly expressed. Tliere was a singular profes- 
sion of steadiness of pm-pose, and of high principle about him, 
all of which vanished in Dodge at the close. A great stickler 
for the rights of the people, he never considered that this peo- 
ple was composed of many integral parts, but he viewed all 
things as gravitating towards the great aggregation. Majorities 
were his hobbies, and though singularly timid as an individual, 
or when in the minority, put him on the strongest side and he 
was ready to face the devil. In short, Mr. Dodge was a peo- 
ple’s man, because his strongest desire, his “ ambition and his 
pride,” as he often expressed it, was to be a man of the people. 
In his particular neighborhood, at home, sentiment ran in veins, 
like gold in the mines, or in streaks of public opinion ; and 
though there might be three or four of these public sentiments, 
so long as each had its party, no one was afraid to avow it ; but 
as for maintaining a notion that was not thus upheld, there was 
a savor of aristocracy about it that would damn even a mathe- 
matical proposition, though regularly solved and proved. So 
much and so long had Mr. Dodge respired a moral atmosphere 
of this community-character, and gregarious propensity, that 
he had, in many things, lost all sense of his individuality ; as 
much so, in fact, as if he breathed with a pair of county lungs, 
ate with a common mouth, drank from the town-pump, and 
slept in the open air. 


102 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Such a man was not very likely to make an impression on 
Captain Truck, one accustomed to rely on himself alone, in the 
face of warring elements, and who knew that a ship could not 
safely have more than a single will, and that the will of her 
master. 

The accidents of life could scarcely form extremes of char- 
acter more remote than that of Steadfast Dodge and that of 
John Truck. The first never did any thing beyond acts of the 
most ordinary kind, without first weighing its probable effect 
in the neighborhood ; its popularity or unpopularity ; how it 
might tally with the different public opinions that were whiffling 
through the county ; in what manner it would influence the 
next election, and whether it would be likely to elevate him or 
depress him in the public mind. No Asiatic slave stood more 
in terror of a vindictive master than Mr. Dodge stood in fear 
and trembling before the reproofs, comments, censures, frowns, 
cavillings, and remarks of every man in his county, who hap- 
pened to belong to the political party that just at that moment 
was in power. As to the minority, he was as brave as a lion, 
could snap his fingers at them, and was foremost in deriding 
and scoffing at all they said and did. This, however, was in 
connection with politics only ; for, the instant party-drill ceased 
to be of value. Steadfast’s valor oozed out of his composition, 
and in all other things he dutifully consulted every public 
opinion of the neighborhood. This estimable man had his 
weak points as well as another, and what is more, he was quite 
sensible of them, as was proved by a most jealous watchfulness 
of his besetting sins, in the way of exposure if not of indul- 
gence. In a word. Steadfast Dodge was a man that wished to 
meddle with and control all things, without possessing precisely 
the spirit that was necessary to leave him master of himself ; 
he had a rabid desire for the good opinion of every thing 
human, without always taking the means necessary to preserve 
his own ; was a stout declaimer for the rights of the com- 
munity, while forgetting that the community itself is but a 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


10.3 


means set up for the accomplishment of a given end ; and felt 
an inward and profound respect for every thing that was be- 
yond his reach, which manifested itself, not in manly efforts to 
attain the forbidden fruit, but rather in a spirit of opposition 
and detraction, that only betrayed, through its jealousy, the 
existence of the feeling, which jealousy, however, he affected 
to conceal under an intense regard for popular rights, since he 
was apt to aver it was quite intolerable that any man should 
possess any thing, even to qualities, in which his neighbors 
might not properly participate. All these, moreover, and many 
similar traits, Mr. Dodge encouraged in the spirit of liberty ! 

On the other hand, John Truck sailed his own ship ; was 
civil to his passengers from habit as well as policy ; knew that 
every vessel must have a captain ; believed mankind to be little 
better than asses ; took his own observations, and cared not a 
straw for those of his mates ; was never more bent on follow- 
ing his own views than when all hands grumbled and opposed 
him ; was daring by nature, decided from use and long self-re- 
liance, and was every way a man fitted to steer his bark through 
the trackless ways of life, as well as those of the ocean. It was 
fortunate for one in his particular position, that nature had 
made the possessor of so much self-will and temporary authority, 
cool and sarcastic rather than hot-headed and violent ; and for 
this circumstance Mr. Dodge in particular had frequent occa- 
sions for felicitation. 


104 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTEE VIIT. 

” But thou we are in order, when we arc 
Most out of order.” 

Jack Cade. 

Disappointed in his private appeal to the captain’s dread of 
popular disapprobation, Mr. Dodge returned to his secret work 
on deck ; for like a true freeman of the exclusive school, this 
person never presumed to work openly, unless sustained by a 
clear majority ; canvassing all around him, and striving hard to 
create a public opinion, as he termed it, on his side of the ques- 
tion, by persuading his hearers that every one was of his par- 
ticular way of thinking already ; a method of exciting a feeling 
much practised by partisans of his school. In the interval. 
Captain Truck was working up his day’s reckoning by himself, 
in his own stateroom, thinking little, and caring less, about any 
thing but the results of his figures, which soon convinced him, 
that by standing a few hours longer on his present course, he 
should “ plump his ship ashore” somewhere between Falmouth 
and the Lizard. 

This discovery annoyed the worthy master so much the more, 
on account of the suggestions of his late visitor ; for nothing 
could be less to his taste than to have the appearance of altering 
his determination under a menace. Still something must bo 
done before midnight, for he plainly perceived that thirty or 
forty miles, at the farthest, would fetch up the Montauk on her 
present course. The passengers had left the deck to escape the 
night air, and he heard the Effinghams inviting Mr. Sharp and 
Mr. Blunt into the ladies’ cabin, which had been taken ex- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


105 


pressly for their party, while the others were calling upon the 
stewards for the usual allowance of hot drinks, at the dining- 
table without. The talking and noise disturbed him ; his own 
stateroom became too confined, and he went on deck to come 
to his decision, in view of the angry-looking skies and the watery 
waste, over which he was called to prevail. Here we shall 
leave him, pacing the quarter-deck, in moody silence alone, too 
much disturbed to smoke even, while the mate of the watch 
sat in the mizzen-rigging, like a monkey, keeping a look-out to 
windward and ahead. In the mean time, we will return to the 
cabin of the Effinghams. 

The Montauk was one of the noblest of those surpassingly 
beautiful and yacht-like ships that now ply between the two 
hemispheres in such numbers, and which in luxury and the 
fitting conveniences seem to vie with each other for the mastery. 
The cabins were lined with satin-wood and bird’s-eye maple ; 
small marble columns separated the glittering panels of pol- 
ished wood, and rich carpets covered the floors. The main 
cabin had the great table, as a fixture, in the centre, but that 
of Eve, somewhat shorter, but of equal width, was free from all 
encumbrance of the sort. It had its sofas, cushions, mirrors, 
stools, tables, and an upright piano. The doors of the state- 
rooms, and other conveniences, opened on its sides and ends. 
In short, it presented, at that hour, the resemblance of a taste- 
ful boudoir, rather than that of an apartment in a cramped and 
vulgar ship. 

Here, then, all who properly belonged to the place were as- 
sembled, with Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt as guests, when a tap 
at the door announced another visitor. It was Mr. Dodge, beg- 
ging to be admitted on a matter of business. Eve smiled, as 
she bowed assent to old Nanny, who acted as her groom of the 
chambers, and hastily expressed a belief that her guest must 
have come with a proposal to form a Dorcas society. 

Although Mr. Dodge was as bold as Caesar in expressing his 
contempt for any thing but popular sway, he never came into 

5 ^ 


106 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the presence of the quiet and well-bred without a feeling of dis- 
trust and uneasiness, that had its rise in the simple circum- 
stance of his not being used to their company. Indeed, there 
is nothing more appalling, in general, to the vulgar and pre- 
tending, than the simplicity and natural ease of the refined. 
Their own notions of elegance lie so much on the surface, that 
they seem at first to suspect an ambush, and it is probable that, 
finding so much repose where, agreeably to their preconceived 
opinions, all ought to be fuss and pretension, they imagine 
themselves to be regarded as intruders. 

Mr. EflBngham gave their visitor a polite reception, and one 
that was marked with a little more than the usual formality, by 
way of letting it be understood that the apartment was private ; 
a precaution that he knew was very necessary in associating 
with tempers like those of Steadfast. All this w^as thrown 
away on Mr. Dodge, notwithstanding every other person present 
admired the tact with which the host kept his guest at a dis- 
tance, by extreme attention, for the latter fancied so much cer- 
emony was but a homage to his claims. It had the effect to 
put him on his own good behavior, however, and of suspending 
the brusque manner in which he had intended to broach his 
subject. As everybody waited in calm silence, as if expecting 
an explanation of the cause of his visit, Mr. Dodge soon felt 
himself constrained to say something, though it might not be 
quite as clearly as he could wish. 

“ We have had a considerable pleasant time. Miss Efiingham, 
since we sailed from Portsmouth,” he observed familiarly. 

Eve bowed her assent, determined not to take to herself a 
visit that did violence to all her habits and notions of propriety. 
But Mr. Dodge was too obtuse to feel the hint conveyed in mere 
reserve of manner. 

“ It would have been more agreeable, I allow, had not this 
man-of-war taken it into her head to follow us in this unprece- 
dented manner.” Mr. Dodge was as fond of his dictionary as 
the steward, though he belonged to the political, while Saun- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


107 


ders merely adorned the polite school of talkers. “ Sir George 
calls it a most ‘uncomfortable procedure.’ You know Sir 
George Templemore, without doubt, Miss Effingham ?” 

“ I am aware there is a person of that name on board, sir,” 
returned Eve, who recoiled from this familiarity with the sensi- 
tiveness which a well-educated female distinguishes between one 
who appreciates her character and one who does not; “but 
have never had the honor of his acquaintance.” 

Mr. Dodge thought all this extraordinary, for he had wit- 
nessed Captain Truck’s introduction, and did not understand 
how people who had sailed twenty-four hours in the same ship, 
and had been fairly introduced, should not be intimate. As for 
himself, he fancied he was, what he termed, “ well acquainted” 
with the Effinghams, from having talked of them a great deal 
ignorantly, and not a little maliciously ; a liberty he felt him- 
self fully entitled to take, from the circumstance of residing in 
the same county, although he had never spoken to one of the 
family, until accident placed him in their company on board 
the same vessel. 

“ Sir George is a gentleman of great accomplishments. Miss 
Effingham, I assure you ; a man of unqualified merit. We have 
the same stateroom, for I like company, and prefer chatting a 
little in my berth to being always asleep. He is a baronet, I 
suppose you know, — not that I care any thing for titles, all men 
being equal in truth, though — though — ” 

“ Unequal in reality, sir, you probably meant to add,” ob- 
served John Effingham, who was lolling on Eve’s work-stand, 
his eagle-shaped face fairly curling with the contempt he felt, 
and which he hardly cared to conceal. 

“ Surely not, sir !” exclaimed the terrified Steadfast, looking 
furtively about, lest some active enemy might be at hand to 
quote this unhappy remark to his prejudice. “Surely not! 
men are every way equal, and no one can pretend to be better 
than another. No, no, — it is nothing to me that Sir George 
is a baronet ; though one would prefer having a gentleman in 


108 


homeward bound. 


the same stateroom to having a coarse fellow. Sir George 
thinks, sir, that the ship is running into great danger by steering 
for the land in so dark a night, and in such dirty weather. He 
has many out-of-the-way expressions. Sir George, I must admit, 
for one of his rank ; he calls the weather dirty^ and the pro- 
ceedings uncomfortable; modes of expression, gentlemen, to 
which I give an unqualified disapprobation.” 

“ Probably Sir George would attach more importance to a 
qualified disapprobation,” retorted John Efifingham. 

“ Quite likely,” returned Mr. Dodge innocently, though the 
two other visitors, Eve, and Mademoiselle Viefville permitted 
slight muscular movements about the lips to be seen : “ Sir 
George is quite an original in his way. We have few originals 
in our part of the country, you know, Mr. John EfiBngham ; for 
to say the truth, it is rather unpopular to differ from the neigh- 
borhood, in this or any other respect. Yes, sir, the people will 
rule, and ought to rule. Still, I think Sir George may get 
along well enough as a stranger, for it is not quite as unpopular 
in a stranger to be original, as in a native. I think you will 
agree with me, sir, in believing it excessively presuming in an 
American to pretend to be different from his fellow-citizens.” 

“ No one, sir, could entertain such presumption, I am per- 
suaded, in your case.” 

“ No, sir, I do not speak from personal motives ; but on the 
great general principles, that are to be maintained for the good 
of mankind. I do not know that any man has a right to be 
peculiar in a free country. It is aristocratic, and has an air of 
thinking one man is better than another. I am sure Mr. Effing- 
ham cannot approve of it ?” 

“ Perhaps not. Freedom has many arbitrary laws that it will 
not do to violate.” 

“ Certainly, sir, or where would be its supremacy ? If the 
people cannot control and look down peculiarity, or any thing 
they dislike, one might as well live in a despotism at once.” 

“ As I have resided much abroad, of late years, Mr. Dodge,” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


100 


inquired Eve, who was fearful her kinsman would give some 
cut that would prove to be past bearing, as she saw his eye was 
menacing, and who felt a disposition to be amused at the other’s 
philosophy, that overcame the attraction of repulsion she had 
at first experienced towards him — “ will you favor me with 
some of those great principles of liberty of which I hear so 
much, but which, I fear, have been overlooked by my European 
instructors ?” 

Mademoiselle Yiefville looked grave ; Messrs. Sharp and 
Blunt delighted ; Mr. Dodge, himself, mystified. 

“ I should feel myself little able to instruct Miss Efiingham 
on such a subject,” the latter modestly replied, “ as no doubt 
she has seen too much misery in the nations she has visited, 
not to appreciate justly all the advantages of that happy coun- 
try which has the honor of claiming her for one of its fair 
daughters.” 

Eve was terrified at her own temerity, for she was far from 
anticipating so high a fiight of eloquence in return for her own 
simple request, but it was too late to retreat. 

“None of the many illustrious and godlike men that our 
own beloved land has produced can pretend to more zeal in its 
behalf than myself, but I fear my abilities to do it justice will 
fall far short of the subject,” he continued. “ Liberty, as you 
know. Miss EflSngham, as you well know, gentlemen, is a boon 
that merits our unqualified gratitude, and which calls for our 
daily and hourly thanks to the gallant spirits who, in the days 
that tried men’s souls, were foremost in the tented field, and in 
the councils of the nation.” 

John Effingham turned a glance at Eve, that seemed to tell 
her how unequal she was to the task she had undertaken, and 
which promised a rescue, with her consent ; a condition that 
the young lady most gladly complied with in the same silent 
but expressive manner. 

“ Of all this my young kinswoman is properly sensible, Mr. 
Dodge,” he said by way of diversion ; “ but she, and I confess 


110 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


myself, have some little perplexity on the subject of what this 
liberty is, about which so much has been said and written in 
our time. Permit me to inquire, if you understand by it a per- 
fect independence of thought, action, and rights ?” 

“Equal laws, equal rights, equality in all respects, and pure, 
abstract, unqualified liberty, beyond all question, sir.” 

“ What, a power in the strong man to beat the little man, 
and to take away his dinner ?” 

“ By no means, sir ; Heaven forbid that I should maintain 
any such doctrine ! It means entire liberty : no kings, no aristo- 
crats, no exclusive privileges ; but one man as good as another !” 

“ Do you understand, then, that one man is as good as an- 
other, under our system, Mr. Dodge ?” 

“ Unqualifiedly so, sir ; I am amazed that such a question 
should be put by a gentleman of your information, in an age 
like this !” 

“ If one man is as good as another,” said Mr. Blunt, who per- 
ceived that John Effingham was biting his lips, a sign that 
something more biting would follow, — “ will you do me the 
favor to inform me, why the country puts itself to the trouble 
and expense of the annual elections ?” 

“ Elections, sit ! In what manner could free institutions flour- 
ish or be maintained, without constantly appealing to the people, 
the only true sources of power ?” 

“ To this I make no objections, Mr. Dodge,” returned the 
young man, smiling ; “ but why an election ? If one man is as 
good as another, a lottery would be cheaper, easier, and sooner 
settled. Why an election, or even a lottery at all ? why not 
choose the Prevsident as the Persians choose their king, by the 
neighing of a horse ?” 

“ This would be indeed an extraordinary mode of proceeding 
for an intelligent and virtuous people, Mr. Blunt ; and I must 
take the liberty of saying that I suspect you of pleasantry. If 
you wish an answer, I will say at once, by such a process we 
might get a knave, or a fool, or a traitor.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Ill 


“ How, Mr. Dodge ! I did not expect this character of the 
country from you! Are the Americans, then, all fools, or 
knaves, or traitors ?” 

“ If you intend to travel much in our country, sir, I would 
advise great caution in throwing out such an insinuation, for it 
would be apt to meet with a very general and unqualified dis- 
approbation. Americans are enlightened and free, and as far 
from deserving these epithets as any people on earth.” 

“ And yet the fact follows from your own theory. If one 
man is as good as another, and any one of them is a fool, or a 
knave, or a traitor, — all are knaves, or fools, or traitors 1 The 
insinuation is not mine, but it follows, I think, inevitably, as a 
consequence of your own proposition.” 

In the pause that succeeded, Mr. Sharp said in a low voice to 
Eve, “ He is an Englishman, after all I” 

“ Mr. Dodge does not mean that one man is as good as an- 
other in that particular sense,” Mr. Effingham kindly interposed, 
in his quality of host ; “ his views are less general, I fancy, than 
his words would give us, at first, reason to suppose.” 

“ Very true, Mr. EflSngham, very true, sir ; one man is not as 
good as another in that particular sense, or in the sense of elec- 
tions, but in all other senses. Yes, sir,” turning towards Mr. 
Blunt again, as one reviews the attack on an antagonist, who has 
given a fall, after taking breath; “in all other senses, one man 
is unqualifiedly as good as another. One man has the same 
rights as another.” 

“ The slave as the freeman ?” 

“ The slaves are exceptions, sir. But in the free States except 
in the case of elections, one man is as good as another in all 
things. That is our meaning, and any other principle would 
be unqualifiedly unpopular.” 

“ Can one man make a shoe as well as another ?” 

“ Of rights, sir, — I stick to the rights, you will remem- 
ber.” 

“ Has the minor the same rights as the man of full age ; the 


112 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


apprentice as the master ; the vagabond as the resident ; the 
man who cannot pay as the man who can ?” 

“ No, sir, not in that sense either. You do not understand 
me, sir, I fear. All that I mean is, that in particular things, 
one man is as good as another in America. This is American 
doctrine, though it may not happen to be English, and I flatter 
myself it will stand the test of the strictest investigation.” 

“ And ypu will allow me to inquire, where this is not the 
case, in particular things. If you mean to say that there are 
fewer privileges accorded to the accidents of birth, or to fortune 
and station in America, than is usual in other countries, we 
shall agree; but I think it will hardly do to say there are 
none !” 

“ Privileges accorded to birth in America, sir ! The idea 
would be odious to her people !” 

“ Does not the child inherit the property of the father ?” 

“ Most assuredly ; but this can hardly be termed a privilege.” 

“ That may depend a good deal on taste. I should account 
it a greater privilege than to inherit a title without the fortune.” 

“ I perceive, gentlemen, that we do not perfectly understand 
each other, and I must postpone the discussion to a more favor- 
able opportunity ; for I confess great uneasiness at this decision 
of the captain’s, about steering in among the rocks of Sylla.” 
(Mr. Dodge was not as clear-headed as common, in consequence 
of the controversy that had just occurred.) “ I challenge you 
to renew the subject another time, gentlemen. I only happen- 
ed in” (another peculiarity of diction in this gentleman) “ to 
make a flrst call, for I suppose there is no exclusion in an 
American ship ?” 

“None whatever, sir,” Mr. John Effingham coldly answered. 
“ All the staterooms are in common, and I propose to seize an 
early occasion to return this compliment, by making myself at 
home in the apartment which has the honor to lodge Mr. Dodge 
and Sir George Templemore.” 

Here Mr. Dodge beat a retreat, without touching at all on 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


113 


his real errand. Instead of even following up the matter with 
the other passengers, he got into a corner, with one or two con- 
genial spirits, who had taken great offence that the Effinghams 
should presume to retire into their cabin, and particularly that 
they should have the extreme aristocratical audacity to shut the 
door, where he continued pouring into the greedy ears of his 
companions his own history of the recent dialogue, in which, 
according to his own account of the matter, he had completely 
gotten the better of that “ young upstart, Blunt,” a man of whom 
he knew positively nothing, divers anecdotes of the Effingham 
family, that came of the lowest and most idle gossip of rustic 
malignancy, and his own vague and confused notions of the 
rights of persons and of things. Yery different was the conver- 
sation that ensued in the ladies’ cabin, after the welcome dis- 
appearance of the uninvited guest. Not a remark of any sort 
was made on his intrusion, or on his folly ; even John Effing- 
ham, little addicted in common to forbearance, being too proud 
to waste his breath on so low game, and too well enough taught 
to open upon a man the moment his back was turned. But the 
subject was continued, and in a manner better suited to the 
education, intelligence, and views of the several speakers. 

Eve said but little, though she ventured to ask a question 
now and then ; Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt being the principal 
supporters of the discourse, with an occasional quiet, discreet 
remark from the young lady’s father, and a sarcasm, now and 
then, from John Effingham. Mr. Blunt, though advancing his 
opinions with diffidence, and with a proper deference for the 
greater experience of the two elder gentlemen, soon made 
his superiority apparent, the subject proving to be one on 
which he had evidently thought a great deal, and that too 
with a discrimination and originality that are far from com- 
mon. 

He pointed out the errors that are usually made on the sub- 
ject of the institutions of the American Union, by confounding 
the effects of the general government with those of the separate 


114 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


States; and he clearly demonstrated that the Confederation 
itself had, in reality, no distinctive character of its own, even 
for or against liberty. It was a confederation, and got its char- 
acter from the characters of its several parts, which of them- 
selves were independent in all things, on the important point 
of distinctive principles, with the exception of the vague gen- 
eral provision that they must be republics ; a provision that 
meant any thing, or nothing, so far as true liberty was con- 
cerned, as each State might decide for itself. 

“ The character of the American government is to be sought 
in the characters of the State governments,” he concluded, 
“ which vary with their respective policies. It is in this way 
that communities that hold one half of their numbers in do- 
mestic bondage are found tied up in the same political fasces 
with other communities of the most democratic institutions. 
The general government assures neither liberty of speech, lib- 
erty of conscience, action, nor of any thing else, except as against 
itself ; a provision that is quite unnecessary, as it is purely a 
government of delegated powers, and has no authority to act at 
all on those particular interests.” 

“This is very different from the general impression in 
Europe,” observed Mr. Sharp; “and as I perceive I have the 
good fortune to be thrown into the society of an American, if 
not an American lawyer^ able to enlighten my ignorance on 
these interesting topics, I hope to be permitted, during some 
of the idle moments, of which we are likely to have many, to 
profit by it.” 

The other colored, bowed to the compliment, but appeared 
to hesitate before he answered. 

“ ’Tis not absolutely necessary to be an American by birth,” 
he said, “ as I have already had occasion to observe, in order 
to understand the institutions of the country, and I might pos- 
sibly mislead you were you to fancy that a native was your in- 
structor. I have often been in the country, however, if not 
born in it, and few young men, on this side of the Atlantic, 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


115 


have had their attention pointed, with so much earnestness, to 
all that affects it as myself.” 

“I was in hopes we had the honor of including you among 
our countrymen,” observed John Effingham, with evident dis- 
appointment. “ So many young men come abroad disposed to 
quarrel with foreign excellences, of which they know nothing, 
or to concede so many of our own, in the true spirit of ser- 
viles, that I was flattering myself I had at last found an ex- 
ception.” 

Eve also felt regret, though she hardly avowed to herself the 
reason. 

“ He is then an Englishman after all !” said Mr. Sharp, in 
another aside. 

“ Why not a German — or a Swiss — or even a Russian ?” 

“ His English is perfect ; no continental could speak so fluent- 
ly, with such a choice of words, so totally without an accent, 
without an effort. As Mademoiselle Viefville says, he does not 
speak well enough for a foreigner.” 

Eve was silent, for she was thinking of the singular manner 
in which a conversation so oddly commenced, had brought 
about an explanation on a point that had often given her many 
doubts. Twenty times had she decided in her own mind that 
this young man, whom she could properly call neither stranger 
nor acquaintance, was a countryman, and as often had she been 
led to change her opinion. He had now been explicit, she 
thought, and she felt compelled to set him down as a European, 
though not disposed, still, to believe he was an Englishman. 
For this latter notion she had reasons it might not have done 
to give to a native of the island they had just left, as she knew 
to be the fact with Mr. Sharp. 

Music succeeded this conversation. Eve having taken the pre- 
caution to have the piano tuned before quitting port, an expe- 
dient we would recommend to all who have a regard for the 
instrument that extends beyond its outside, or even for their 
own ears. John Effingham executed brilliantly on the violin ; 


116 


HOMEWAKD BOUND. 


and, as it appeared on inquiry, the two younger gentlemen per- 
formed respectably on the flute, flageolet, and one or two other 
wind instruments. We shall leave them doing great justice to 
Beethoven, Rossini, and Mayerbeer, whose compositions Mr. 
Dodge did not fail to sneer at in the outer cabin, as afiected 
and altogether unworthy of attention, and return on deck to 
the company of the anxious master. 

Captain Truck had continued to pace the deck moodily and 
alone during the whole evening, and he only seemed to come 
to a recollection of himself when the relief passed him on his 
way to the wheel, at eight bells. Inquiring the hour, he got 
into the mizzen rigging, with a night-glass, and swept the hori- 
zon in search of the Foam. Nothing could be made out, the 
darkness having settled upon the water in a way to circum- 
scribe the visible horizon to very narrow limits. 

“ This may do,” he muttered to himself, as he swung off by 
a rope, and alighted again on the planks of the deck. Mr. 
Leach was summoned, and an order was passed for the relieved 
watch to remain on deck for duty. 

When all was ready, the first mate went through the ship, 
seeing that all the candles were extinguished, or that the hoods 
were drawn over the sky-lights, in such a way as to conceal 
any rays that might gleam upwards from the cabin. At the 
same time attention was paid to the binnacle-lamp. This pre- 
caution observed, the people went to work to reduce the sail, 
and in the course of twenty minutes they had got in the stud- 
ding-sails, and all the standing canvas to the topsails, the fore- 
course, and a forward staysail. The three topsails were then 
reefed, with sundry urgent commands to the crew to be active, 
for “ the Englishman was coming up like a horse, all this time, 
no doubt.” 

This much effected, the hands returned on deck, as much 
amazed at the several arrangements as if the order had been to 
cut away the masts. 

“If we had a few guns, and were a little stronger-handed,” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


117 


growled an old salt to the second mate, as he hitched up his 
trousers and rolled over his quid, “ I should think the hard 
one, aft, had been stripping for a fight ; but as it is, we have 
nothing to carry on the war with, unless we throw sea-biscuits 
into the enemy !” 

“ Stand by to veer called out the captain, from the quarter- 
deck ; or, as he pronounced it, “ wareP 

The men sprang to the braces, and the bows of the ship fell 
off gradually, as the yards yielded slowly to the drag. In a 
minute the Montauk was rolling dead before it, and her broad- 
side came sweeping up to the wind with the ship’s head to the 
eastward. This new direction in the course had the double 
effect of hauling off the land, and of diverging at more than 
right angles from the line of sailing of the Foam, if that ship 
still continued in pursuit. The seamen nodded their heads at 
each other in approbation, for all now as well understood the 
meaning of the change as if it had been explained to them 
verbally. 

The revolution on deck produced as sudden a revolution be- 
low. The ship was no longer running easily on an even keel, 
but was pitching violently into a head-beating sea, and the 
wind, which a few minutes before, was scarcely felt to blow, 
was now whistling its hundred strains among the cordage. 
Some sought their berths, among whom were Mr. Sharp and 
Mr. Dodge ; some hurried up the stairs to learn the reason, and 
all broke up their avocations for the night. 

Captain Truck had the usual number of questions to answer, 
which he did in the following succinct and graphic manner, a 
reply that we hope will prove as satisfactory to the reader, as 
it was made to be, perforce, satisfactory to the curious on board. 

“Had we stood on an hour longer, gentlemen, we should 
have been lost on the coast of Cornwall !” he said, pithily ; 
“ had we stopped where we were, the sloop-of-war would have 
been down upon us in twenty minutes : by changing the course, 
in the way you have seen, he may get to leeward of us ; if he 


118 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


find it out, he may change his own course, in the dark, being as 
likely to go wrong as to go right ; or he may stand in, and set up 
the ribs of His Majesty’s ship Foam to dry among the rocks of 
the Lizard, where I hope all her people will get safely ashore, 
dry shod.” 

After waiting the result anxiously for an hour, the passen- 
gers retired to their rooms one by one; but Captain Truck did 
not quit the deck until the middle watch was set, Paul Blunt 
heard him enter his stateroom, which was next to his own, and 
putting out his head, he inquired the news above. The worthy 
master had discovered something about this young man which 
created a respect for his nautical information, for he never mis- 
applied a term, and he invariably answered all his questions 
promptly, and with respect. 

“ Dirtier, and dirtier,” he said, in defiance of Mr. Dodge’s 
opinion of the phrase, pulling off his pee-jacket, and laying 
aside his sow-wester ; “ a cap-full of wind, with just enough driz- 
zle to take the comfort out of a man, and lacker him down like 
a boot.” 

“ The ship has gone about ?” 

“ Like a dancing-master with two toes. We have got her 
head to the southward and westward again ; another reef in 
the topsails” (which word Mr. Truck pronounced tawsails, with 
great unction), “ England well under our lee, and the Atlantic 
ocean right before us. Six hours on this course, and we make 
a fair wind of it.” 

“ And the sloop ?” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


119 


CHAPTER IX. 

“The moon was now 
Rising full orbed, but broken by a cloud. 

The wind was hushed, and the sea mirror-like.” 

Italy. 

Most of the passengers appeared on deck soon after Saun- 
ders was again heard rattling among his glasses. The day was 
sufficiently advanced to allow a distinct view of all that was 
passing, and the wind had shifted. The change had not oc- 
curred more than ten minutes, and as most of the inmates of 
the cabin poured up the cabin-stairs nearly in a body, Mr. 
Leach had just got through with the necessary operation of 
bracing the yards about, for the breeze, which was coming 
stiff, now blew from the northwest. No land was visible, and 
the mate was just giving his opinion that they were up with 
Scilly, as Captain Truck appeared in the group. 

One glance aloft, and another at the heavens, sufficed to let 
the experienced master into all the secrets of his present situa- 
tion. His next step was to jump into the rigging, and to take 
a look at the sea, in the direction of the Lizard. There, to his 
extreme disappointment, appeared a ship with every thing set 
that would draw, and with a studding-sail flapping, before it 
could be drawn down, which he knew in an instant to be the 
Foam. At this spectacle, Mr. Truck compressed his lips, and 
made an inward imprecation, that it would ill comport with 
our notions of propriety to repeat. 

“ Turn the hands up, and shake out the reefs, sir,” he said coolly 
to his mate, for it was a standing rule of the captain’s to seem 


120 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


calmest when he was in the greatest rage. “ Turn them up, sir, 
and show every rag that will draw, from the truck to the lower 
studding-sail boom, and be d — d to them !” 

On this hint Mr. Leach bestirred himself, and the men were 
quickly on the yards, casting loose gaskets and reef-points. 
Sail opened after sail, and as the steerage passengers, who could 
show a force of thirty or forty men, aided with their strength, 
the Montauk was soon running dead before the wind, under 
every thing that would draw, and with studding-sails on both 
sides. The mates looked surprised, the seamen cast inquiring 
glances aft, but Mr. Truck lighted a cigar. 

“Gentlemen,” said the captain, after a few philosophical 
whiffs, “ to go to America with yonder fellow on my weather 
beam is quite out of the question ; he would be up with me, 
and in possession, before ten o’clock, and my only play is to 
bring the wind right over the taffrail, where, luckily, we have 
got it. I think we can bother him at this sport, for your sharp 
bottoms are not as good as your kettle-bottoms in ploughing a 
full furrow. As for bearing her canvas, the Montauk will stand 
it as long as any ship in King William’s navy, before the gale. 
And on one thing you may rely ; I’ll carry you all into Lisbon, 
before that tobacco-hating rover shall carry you back to Ports- 
mouth. This is a category to which I will stick.” 

This characteristic explanation served to let the passengers 
understand the real state of the case. No one remonstrated, 
for all preferred a race to being taken ; and even the English- 
men on board began again to take sides with the vessel they 
were in, and this the more readily, as Captain Truck freely ad- 
mitted that their cruiser was too much for him on every tack 
but the one he was about to try. Mr. Sharp hoped that they 
might now escape, and as for Sir George Templemore, he gen- 
erously repeated his offer to pay, out of his own pocket, all the 
port-charges in any French, Spanish, or Portuguese harbor the 
master would enter, rather than see such an outrage done a 
foreign vessel in a time of profound peace. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


121 


The expedient of Captain Truck proved his judgment, and 
his knowledge of his profession. Within an hour it was appa- 
rent that if there was any essential difference in the sailing of 
the two ships, under the present circumstances, it was slightly 
in favor of the Montauk. The Foam now set her ensign for the 
first time, a signal that she wished to speak the ship in sight. 
At this Captain Truck chuckled, for he pronounced it a sign 
that she was conscious she could not get them within range of 
her guns. 

“Show him the gridiron,” cried the captain, briskly; “it 
will not do to be beaten in civility by a man who has beaten 
us already on so many other tacks; but keep all fast as a 
church-door on a week-day.” 

This latter comparison was probably owing to the circum- 
stance of the master’s having come from a part of the country 
where all the religion is compressed into the twenty-four hours 
that commence on Saturday night at sunset, and end at sunset 
the next day: at least, this was his own explanation of the 
matter. The effect of success was always to make Mr. Truck 
loquacious, and he now began to tell many excellent anecdotes, 
of which he had stores, all of events that had happened to him 
in person, or of which he had been an eye-witness; and on 
which his hearers, as Sancho said, might so certainly depend 
as true, that, if they chose, they might safely swear they had 
seen them themselves. 

“Speaking of churches and doors. Sir George,” he said, 
between the puffs of the cigar, “were you ever in Rhode 
Island?” 

“ Never, as this is my first visit to America, captain.” 

“ True ; well, you will be likely to go there, if you go to Bos- 
ton, as it is the best way ; unless you would prefer to run over 
Nantucket shoals, and a hundred miles of ditto, as Mr. Dodge 
calls it.” 

“ Bitter^ captain, if you please — ditter : it is the continental 
word for round-about.” 


6 


122 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ The d — 1 it is ! it is worth knowing, however. And what 
may be the French for pee-jacket?” 

“ You mistake me, sir, — ditter^ a circuit, or the longer way.” 

“ That is the road we are now travelling, by George ! — I say, 
Leach, do you happen to know that we are making a ditter to 
America 

“ You were speaking of a church. Captain Truck,” politely 
interposed Sir George, who had become rather intimate with 
his fellow-occupant of the stateroom. 

“ I was travelling through that State, a few years since, on 
my way from Providence to New London, at a time when a 
new road had just been opened. It was on a Sunday, and the 
stage — a four-horse power, you must know — had never yet run 
through on the Lord’s-day. Well, we might be, as it were, off 
here at right angles to our course, and there was a short turn 
in the road, as one would say, out yonder. As we hove in 
sight of the turn, I saw a chap at the mast-head of a tree ; down 
he slid, and away he went right before it, towards a meeting- 
house two or three cables length down the road. We followed 
at a smart jog, and just before we got the church abeam, out 
poured the whole congregation, horse and foot, parson and 
idlers, sinners and hypocrites, to see the four-horse power go 
past. Now this is what I call keeping the church-door open on 
a Sunday.” 

We might have hesitated about recording this anecdote of 
the captain’s, had we not received an account of the same oc- 
currence from a quarter that left no doubt that his version of 
the affair was substantially correct. This and a few similar 
adventures, some of which he invented, and all of which he 
swore were literal, enabled the worthy master to keep the 
quarter-deck in good-humor, while the ship was running at the 
rate of ten knots the hour in a line so far diverging from her 
true course. But the relief to landsmen is so great, in general, 
in meeting with a fair wind at sea, that few are disposed to 
quarrel with its consequences. A bright day, a steady ship. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


123 


the pleasure of motion as they raced with the combing seas, 
and the interest of the chase, set every one at ease ; and even 
Steadfast Dodge was less devoured with envy, a jealousy of his 
own deservings, and the desire of management, than usual. 
Not an introduction occurred, and yet the little world of the 
ship got to be better acquainted with each other in the course 
of that day, than would have happened in months of the usual 
collision on land. 

The Montauk continued to gain on her pursuer until the sun 
set, when Captain Truck began once more to cast about him 
for the chances of the night. He knew that the ship was run- 
ning into the mouth of the Bay of Biscay, or at least was fast 
approaching it, and he bethought him of the means of getting 
to the westward. The night promised to be any thing but 
dark, for though a good many wild-looking clouds were by this 
time scudding athwart the heavens, the moon diffused a sort 
of twilight gleam in the air. Waiting patiently, however, until 
the middle-watch was again called, he reduced sail, and hauled 
the ship off to a southwest course, hoping by this slight change 
insensibly to gain an offing before the Foam was aware of it ; 
a scheme that he thought more likely to be successful, as by 
dint of sheer driving throughout the day, he had actually 
caused the courses of that vessel to dip before the night shut in. 

Even the most vigilant become weary of watching, and 
Captain Truck was unpleasantly disturbed next morning by an 
alarm that the Foam was just out of gun-shot, coming up with 
them fast. On gaining the deck, he found the fact indisputable. 
Favored by the change in the course, the cruiser had been 
gradually gaining on the Montauk ever since the first watch 
was relieved, and had indeed lessened the distance between the 
respective ships by two-thirds. No remedy remained but to 
try the old expedient of getting the wind over the taffrail once 
more, and of showing all the canvas that could be spread. As 
like causes are known to produce like effects, the expedient 
brought about the old results. The packet had the best of it. 


124 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


and the sloop-of-war slowly fell astern. Mr. Truck now declared 
he would make a “ regular business of it,” and accordingly he 
drove the ship in that direction throughout the day, the fol- 
lowing night, and until near noon of the day which succeeded, 
varying his course slightly to suit the wind, which he studiously 
kept so near aft as to allow the studding-sails to draw on both 
sides. At meridian, on the fourth day out, the captain got a 
good observation, and ascertained that the ship was in the lati- 
tude of Oporto, with an offing of less than a degree. At this 
time the topgallant-sails of the Foam might be discovered from 
the deck, resembling a boat clinging to the watery horizon. 
As he had fully made up his mind to run into port in prefer- 
ence to being overhauled, the master had kept so near the 
land, with an intention of profiting by his position, in the event 
of any change favoring his pursuers ; but he now believed that 
at sunset he should be safe in finally shaping his course for 
America. 

“ There must be double-fortified eyes aboard that fellow, to 
see what we are about at this distance, when the night is once 
shut in,” he said .to Mr. Leach, who seconded all his orders 
with obedient zeal, “ and we will watch our moment to slip out 
fairly into the great prairie, and then we shall discover who 
best knows the trail ! You’ll be for trotting off to the prairies. 
Sir George, as soon as we get in, and for trying your hand at 
the buffaloes, like all the rest of them. Ten years since, if an 
Englishman came to look at us, he was afraid of being scalped 
in Broadway, and now he is never satisfied unless he is astraddle 
of the Rocky Mountains in the first fortnight. I take over lots 
of cockney-hunters every summer, who just get a shot at a 
grizzly bear or two, or at an antelope, and come back in time 
for the opening of Drury Lane.” 

“ Should we not be more certain of accomplishing your 
plans, by seeking refuge in Lisbon for a day or two ? I confess 
now I should like to see Lisbon ; and as for the port-charges, 
I would rather pay them twice, than that this poor man should 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


1‘25 


be torn from his wife. On this point I hope, Captain Track, I 
have made myself sufficiently explicit.” 

Captain Truck shook the baronet heartily by the hand, as he 
always did when this offer was renewed, declaring that his feel- 
ings did him honor. 

“ Never fear for Davis,” he said. “ Old Grab shall not have 
him this tack, nor the Foam neither. I’ll throw him overboard 
before such a disgrace befall us or him. Well, this leech has 
driven us from the old road, and nothing now remains but to 
make the southern passage, unless the wind prevail at south.” 

The Montauk, in truth, had not much varied from a course 
that was once greatly in favor with the London ships, Lisbon 
and New York being nearly in the same parallel of latitude, and 
the currents, if properly improved, often favoring the run. It is 
true, the Montauk had kept closer in with the continent by a 
long distance than was usual, even for the passage he had 
named ; but the peculiar circumstances of the chase had left 
no alternative, as the master explained to his listeners. 

“ It was a coasting voyage, or a tow back to Portsmouth, 
Sir George,” he said, “ and of the two, I know you like the 
Montauk too well to wish to be quit of her so soon.” 

To this the baronet gave a willing assent, protesting that his 
feelings had got so much enlisted on the side of the vessel he 
was in, that he would cheerfully forfeit a thousand pounds rather 
than be overtaken. The master assured him that was just what 
he liked, and swore that he was the sort of passenger he most 
delighted in. 

“ When a man puts his foot on the deck of a ship. Sir George, 
he should look upon her as his home, his church, his wife and 
children, his uncles and aunts, and all the other lumber ashore. 
This is the sentiment to make seamen. Now, I entertain a 
greater regard for the shortest ropeyarn aboard this ship, than 
for the topsail-sheets or best bower of any other vessel. It is 
like a man’s loving his own finger, or toe, before any other per- 
son’s. I have heard it said that one should love his neighboi 


126 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


as well as himself; but for my part, I love my ship better than 
my neighbor’s, or my neighbor himself; and I fancy, if the 
truth were known, my neighbor pays me back in the same 
coin ! For my part, I like a thing because it is mine.” 

A little before dark the head of the Montauk was inclined 
towards Lisbon, as if her intention was to run in ; but the mo- 
ment the dark spot that pointed out the position of the Foam 
was lost in the haze of the horizon. Captain Truck gave the 
order to “ and sail was made to the west-southwest. 

Most of the passengers felt an intense curiosity to know the 
state of things on the following morning, and all the men 
among them were dressed and on deck just as the day began 
to break. The wind had been fresh and steady all night, and 
as the ship had been kept with her yards a little checked, and 
topmast studding-sails set, the officers reported her to be at least 
a hundred miles to the westward of the spot where she veered. 
The reader will imagine the disappointment the latter expe- 
rienced, then, when they beheld the Foam a little on their 
weather-quarter, edging away for them as assiduously as she 
had been hauling up for them the night they sailed from Ports- 
mouth, distant little more than a league ! 

“This is, indeed, extraordinary perseverance,” said Paul 
Blunt to Eve, at whose side he was standing at the moment the 
fact was ascertained, “ and I think our captain might do well 
to heave-to and ascertain its cause.” 

“ I hope not,” cried his companion with vivacity. “ I con- 
fess to an esprit de corps^ and a gallant determination to ‘ see it 
out,’ as Mr. Leach styles his own resolution. One does not like 
to be followed about the ocean in this manner, unless it be for 
the interest it gives the voyage. After all, how much better is 
this than dull solitude, and what a zest it gives to the monotony 
of the ocean !” 

“ Do you then find the ocean a scene of monotony ?” 

“ Such it has oftener appeared to me than any thing else, and 
I give it a fair trial, having never le mal de rmr. But I acquit 


HOMEWARD BOUND, 


127 


it of this sin now ; for the interest of a chase, in reasonably 
good weather, is quite equal to that of a horse-race, which is a 
thing I delight in. Even Mr. John Effingham can look radiant 
under its excitement.” 

“ And when this is the case, he is singularly handsome ; a 
nobler outline of face is seldom seen than that of Mr. John 
Effingham.” 

“ He has a noble outline of soul, if he did but know it him- 
self,” returned Eve, warmly : “I love no one as much as him, with 
the exception of my father, and as Mademoiselle Viefville would 
say , ^ouT cause'"* 

The young man could have listened all day, but Eve smiled, 
bowed gracefully, though with a glistening eye, and hastily left 
the deck, conscious of having betrayed some of her most cher- 
ished feelings to one who had no claim to share them. 

Captain Truck, while vexed to his heart’s core, or, as he ex- 
pressed it himself, “ struck aback, like an old lady shot off a 
hand-sled in sliding down hill,” was prompt in applying the old 
remedy to the evil. The Montauk was again put before the 
wind, sail was made, and the fortunes of the chase were once 
more cast on the “ play of the ship.” 

The commander of the Foam certainly deprecated this change, 
for it was hardly made before he set his ensign, and fired a gun. 
But of these signals no other notice was taken than to show a 
flag in return, when the captain and his mates proceeded to get 
the bearings of the sloop-of-war. Ten minutes showed they 
were gaining ; twenty did better ; and in an hour she was well 
on the quarter. 

Another day of strife succeeded, or rather of pure sailing, 
for not a rope was started on board the Montauk, the wind still 
standing fresh and steady. The sloop made many signals, all 
indicating a desire to speak the Montauk, but Captain Truck 
declared himself too experienced a navigator to be caught by 
bunting, and in too great a hurry to stop and chat by the way. 

“ Vattel has laid down no law for such a piece of complai- 


128 


homeward bound. 


sance, in a time of profound peace. I am not to be caugbt by 
that category.” 

The result may be anticipated from what has been already 
related. The two ships kept before the wind until the Foam 
was again far astern, and the observations of Captain Truck 
told him, he was as far south as the Azores. In one of these 
islands he was determined to take refuge,' provided he was not 
favored by accident, for going farther south was out of the 
question, unless absolutely driven to it. Calculating his dis- 
tance, on the evening of the sixth day out, he found that he 
might reach an anchorage at Pico, before the sloop-of-war could 
close with him, even allowing the necessity of hauling up again 
by the wind. 

But Providence had ordered differently. Towards midnight, 
the breeze almost failed and became baffling, and when the day 
dawned the officer of the watch reported that it was ahead. 
The pursuing ship, though still in sight, was luckily so far 
astern and to leeward as to prevent any danger from a visit by 
boats, and there was leisure to make the preparations that might 
become necessary on the springing up of a new breeze. Of the 
speedy occurrence of such a change there was now every symp- 
tom, the heavens lighting up at the north^yest, a quarter from 
which the genius of the storms mostly delights in making a 
display of his power. 


UOMEWARD ROUND. 


129 


CHAPTER X. 

“ I como -with mightier things ; 

Who calls me silent ? I have many tones — 

The dark sky thrills with low mysterious moans, 

Borne on my sweeping winds.” 

Mbs. Hemans. 

The awaking of the winds on the ocean is frequently at- 
tended with signs and portents as sublime as any the fancy can 
conceive. On the present occasion, the breeze that had pre- 
vailed so steadily for a week was succeeded by light baffling 
puffs, as if, conscious of the mighty powers of the air that were 
assembling in their strength, these inferior blasts were hurrying 
to and fro for a refuge. The clouds, too, were whirling about 
in uncertain eddies, many of the heaviest and darkest descend- 
ing so low along the horizon, that they had an appearance of 
settling on the waters in quest of repose. But the waters them- 
selves were unnaturally agitated. The billows, no longer fol- 
ing each other in long regular waves, were careering upward, 
like fiery coursers suddenly checked in their mad career. The 
usual order of the eternally unquiet ocean was lost in a species 
of chaotic tossings of the element, the seas heaving themselves 
upward, without order, and frequently without visible cause. 
This was the reaction of the currents, and of the influence of 
breezes still older than the last. Not the least fearful symptom 
of the hour was the terrific calmness of the air amid such a 
scene of menacing wildness. Even the ship came into the pic- 
ture to aid the impression of intense expectation ; for with her 
canvas reduced, she, too, seemed to have lost that instinct which 

e* 


130 


homeward bound. 


had so lately guided her along the trackless waste, and was 
“ wallowing,” nearly helpless, among the confused waters. Still 
she was a beautiful and a grand object, perhaps more so at that 
moment than at any other ; for her vast and naked spars, her 
well-supported masts, and all the ingenious and complicated 
hamper of the machine, gave her a resemblance to some sinewy 
and gigantic gladiator, pacing the arena, in waiting for the con- 
flict that was at hand. 

“ This is an extraordinary scene,” said Eve, who clung to her 
father’s arm, as she gazed around her equally in admiration and 
in awe ; “ a dreadful exhibition of the sublimity of nature !” 

“ Although accustomed to the sea,” returned Mr. Blunt, “ I 
have witnessed these ominous changes but twice before, and I 
think this the grandest of them all.” 

“ Were the others followed by tempests ?” inquired the anx- 
ious parent. 

“ One brought a tremendous gale, while the other passed 
away like a misfortune of which we get a near view, but are 
permitted to escape the eflects.” 

“ I do not know that I wish such to be entirely our present 
fortune,” rejoined Eve, “ for there is so much sublimity in this 
view of the ocean unaroused, that I feel desirous of seeing it 
when aroused.” 

“We are not in the hurricane latitudes, or hurricane months,” 
resumed the young man, “ and it is not probable that there is 
any thing more in reserve for us than a hearty gale of wind, 
which may, at least, help us to get rid of yonder troublesome 
follower.” 

“ Even that I do not wish, provided he will let us continue 
the race on our proper route. A chase across the Atlantic 
would be something to enjoy at the moment, gentlemen, and 
something to talk of in after life.” 

“ I wonder if such a thing be possible !” exclaimed Mr. Sharp ; 
“ it would indeed be an incident to recount to another genera- 
tion !” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


131 


“ There is little probability of our witnessing such an exploit,” 
Mr. Blunt remarked, “ for gales of wind on the ocean have the 
same separating influence on consorts of the sea, that domestic 
gales have on consorts of the land. Nothing is more difficult 
than to keep ships and fleets in sight of each other in very 
heavy weather, unless, indeed, those of the best qualities are 
disposed to humor those of the worst.” 

“ I know not which may be called the best, or which the 
worst, in this instance, for our tormentor appears to be as much 
better than ourselves in some particulars, as we are better than 
he in others. If the humoring is to come from our honest cap- 
tain, it will be some such humoring as the spoiled child gets 
from a capricious parent in moments of anger.” 

Mr. Truck passed the group at that instant, and heard his 
name coupled with the word honest, in the mouth of Eve, though 
he lost the rest of the sentence. 

“ Thank you for the compliment, my dear young lady,” he 
said ; “ and I wish I could persuade Captain Somebody, of his 
Britannic Majesty’s ship Foam, to be of the same way of think- 
ing. It is all because he will not fancy me honest in the article 
of tobacco, that he has got the Montauk down here, on the 
Spanish coast, where the man who built her would not know 
her ; so unnatural and unseemly is it to catch a London liner 
so far out of her track. I shall have to use double care to get 
the good craft home again.” 

“ And why this particular difficulty, captain ?” Eve, who was 
amused with Mr. Truck’s modes of speech, pleasantly inquired. 
“ Is it not equally easy to go from one part of the ocean as 
from another?” 

“ Equally easy ! Bless you, my dear young lady, you never 
made a more capital mistake in your life. Do you imagine it 
is as easy to go from London to New York, now, as to go from 
New York to London ?” 

“ I am so ignorant as to have made this ridiculous mistake, 
if mistake it be ; nor do I now see why it should be otherwise.” 


132 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Simply because it is up-bill, ma’am. As for our position 
here to the eastward of the Azores, the difficulty is soon ex- 
plained. By dint of coaxing I had got the good old ship so as 
to know every inch of the road on the northern passage, and 
now I shall be obliged to wheedle her along on a new route, 
like a shy horse getting through a new stable-door. One might 
as well think of driving a pig from his sty, as to get a ship out 
of her track.” 

“We trust to you to do all this and much more at need. 
But to what will these grand omens lead ? Shall we have a 
gale, or is so much magnificent menacing to be taken as an 
empty threat of Nature’s ?” 

“ That we shall know in the course of the day. Miss Effing- 
ham, though Nature is no bully, and seldom threatens in vain. 
There is nothing more curious to study, or which needs a nicer 
eye to detect, than your winds.” 

“ Of the latter I am fully persuaded, captain, for they are 
(‘.ailed the ‘ viewless winds,’ you will remember, and the great- 
(st authority we possess, speaks of them as being quite beyond 
the knowledge of man : ‘ That we may hear the sound of the 
\nnd, but cannot tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth.’ ” 

“ I do not remember the writer you mean, my dear young 
lady,” returned Mr. Truck, quite innocently ; “ but he was a 
sensible fellow, for I believe Yattel has never yet dared to 
grapple with the winds. There are people who fancy the 
weather is foretold in the almanac ; but, according to my 
opinion, it is safer to trust a rheumatis’ of two or three years’ 
standing. A good, well-established, old-fashioned rheumatis’ — 
I say nothing of your new-fangled diseases, like the cholera, 
and varioloid, and animal magnitudes — but a good old-fashion- 
ed rheumatis’, such as people used to have when I was a boy, 
is as certain a barometer as that which is at this moment hang- 
ing up in the coach-house here, within two fathoms of the very 
spot where we are standing. I once had a rheumatis’ that I 
set much store by, for it would let me know when to look out 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


133 


for easterly weather, quite as infallibly as any instrument I ever 
sailed with. I never told you the story of the old Connecticut 
horse-jockey, and the typhoon, I believe ; and as we are doing 
nothing but waiting for the weather to make up its mind — ” 

“ The weather to make up its mind !” exclaimed Eve, look- 
ing around her in awe at the sublime and terrific grandeur of 
the ocean, of the heavens, and of the pent and moody air ; “ is 
there an uncertainty in this ?” 

“ Lord bless you ! my dear young lady, the weather is often 
as uncertain, and as undecided, and as hard to please, too, as 
an old girl who gets sudden offers on the same day, from a 
widower with ten children, an attorney with one leg, and the 
parson of the parish. Uncertain, indeed ! Why I have known 
the weather in this grandiloquent condition for a whole day. 
Mr. Dodge, there, will tell you it is making up its mind which 
way it ought to blow, to be popular ; so, as we have nothing 
better to do, Mr. Effingham, I will tell you the story about my 
neighbor, the horse-jockey. Hauling yards when there is no 
wind, is like playing on a Jew’s-harp, at a concert of trom- 
bones.” 

Mr. Effingham made a complaisant sign of assent, and press- 
ed the arm of the excited Eve for patience. 

“You must know, gentlemen,” the captain commenced, 
looking round to collect as many listeners as possible, — for he 
excessively disliked lecturing to small audiences, when he had 
anything to say that he thought particularly clever, — “you 
must know that we had formerly many craft that went between 
the river and the islands — ” 

“ The river ?” interrupted the amused Mr. Sharp. 

“ Certain ; the Connecticut, I mean ; we all call it the river 
down our way — between the river and the West Indies, with 
horses, cattle, and other knick-knacks of that description. 
Among others was old Joe Bunk, who had followed the trade 
in a high-decked brig for some twenty-three years, he and the 
brig having grown old in company, like man and wife. About 


134 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


forty years since, our river ladies began to be tired of their 
bohea, and as there was a good deal said in favor of souchong 
in those days, an excitement was got up on the subject, as Mr. 
Dodge calls it, and it was deteiToined to make an experiment 
in the new quality, before they dipped fairly into the trade. 
Well, what do you suppose was done in the premises, as Vattel 
says, my dear young lady ?” 

Eve’s eyes were still on the grand and portentous aspect of 
the heavens, but she civilly answered — 

“ No doubt they sent to a shop and purchased a sample.” 

“ Not they ; they knew too much for that, since any rogue 
of a grocer might cheat them. When the excitement had got 
a little headway on it, they formed a tea society, with the 
parson’s wife for presidentess, and her oldest daughter for secre- 
tary. In this way they went to work, until the men got into 
the fever too, and a project was set a-foot to send a craft to 
China for a sample of what they wanted.” 

“ China !” exclaimed Eve, this time looking the captain fairly 
in the face. 

“ China, certain ; it lies oflF hereaway, you know, round on 
the other side of the earth. Well, whom should they choose 
to go on th.e errand but old Joe Bunk. The old man had 
been so often to the islands and back, without knowing any 
thing of navigation, they thought he was just their man, as 
there was no such thing as losing him.” 

“ One would think he was the very man to get lost,” ob- 
served Mr. Effingham, while the captain fitted a fresh cigar ; 
for smoke he would, and did, in any company, that was out of 
the cabin, although he always professed a readiness to cease, if 
any person disliked the fragrance of tobacco. 

“ Not he, sir ; he was just as well off in the Indian Ocean as 
he would be here, for he knew nothing about either. Well, 
Joe fitted up the brig 5 the Seven Dollies was her name 5 for 
you must know, we had seven ladies in the town, who were 
called Dolly, and they each of them used to send a colt, or a 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


135 


steer, or some other delicate article to the islands by Joe, when- 
ever he went ; so he fitted up the Seven Dollies, hoisted in his 
dollars, and made sail. The last that was seen or heard of the 
old man for eight months, was off Montauk, where he was 
fallen in with, two days out, steering southeasterly by com- 
pass.” 

“ I should think,” observed John EflSngham, who began to 
arouse himself as the story proceeded, “ that Mrs. Bunk must 
have been very uneasy all this time ?” 

“ Not’ she ; she stuck to the bohea in hopes the souchong 
would arrive before the restoration of the Jews. Arrive it did, 
sure enough, at the end of eight months, and a capital adven- 
ture it proved for all concerned. Old Joe got a great name in 
the river for the exploit, though how he got to China no one 
could say, or how he got back again ; or, for a long time, how 
he got the huge heavy silver tea-pot, he brought home with 
him.” 

“ A silver tea-pot ?” 

“ Exactly that article. At last the truth came to be known ; 
for it is not an easy matter to hide any thing of that nature 
down our way ; it is aristocratic, as Mr. Dodge says, to keep a 
secret. At first they tried Joe with all sorts of questions, but 
he gave them ‘ guess’ for ‘ guess.’ Then people began to talk, 
and finally it was fairly whispered that the old man had stolen 
the tea-pot. This brought him before the meeting. — Law was 
out of the question, you will understand, as there was no evi- 
dence ; but the meeting don’t stick much at particulars, pro- 
vided people talk a good deal.” 

“ And the result ?” asked John Eflingham : “ I suppose the 
parish took the tea-pot and left Joe the grounds.” 

“ You are as far out of the way as we are here down on the 
coast of Spain ! The truth is just this. The Seven Dollies was 
lying among the rest of them, at anchor, below Canton, with 
the weather as fine as young girls love to see it in May, when 
Joe began to get down his yards, to house his masts, and to 


136 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


send out all his spare anchors. He even went so far as to get 
two hawsers fastened to a junk that had grounded a little ahead 
of him. This made a talk among the captains of the vessels, 
and some came on board to ask the reason. Joe told them he 
was getting ready for the typhoon ; but when they inquired his 
reasons for believing there was to he a typhoon at all, J oe looked 
solemn, shook his head, and said he had reasons enough, but 
they were his own. Had he been explicit, he would have been 
laughed at, but the sight of an old gray-headed man, who had 
been at sea forty years, getting ready in this serious manner, set 
the others at work too ; for ships follow each other’s movements, 
like sheep running through a breach in the fence. Well, that 
night the typhoon came in earnest, and it blew so hard, that 
Joe Bunk said he could see the houses in the moon, all the air 
having blown out of the atmosphere.” 

“ But what has this to do with the teapot. Captain Truck ?” 

“ It is the life and soul of it. The captains in port were so 
delighted with Joe’s foreknowledge, that they clubbed, and pre- 
sented him this pot as a testimony of their gratitude and es- 
teem. He’d got to be popular among them, Mr. Dodge, and 
that was the way they proved it.” 

“ But, pray, how did he know the storm was approaching ?” 
asked Eve, whose curiosity had been awakened in spite of her- 
self. “ It could not have been that his ‘ foreknowledge’ was 
supernatural.” 

“ That no one can say, for Joe was presbyterian-built, as we 
say, kettle-bottomed, and stowed well. The truth was not dis- 
covered until ten years afterwards, when the old fellow got to 
be a regular cripple, what between rheumatis’, old age, and 
steaming. One day he had an attack of the first complaint, 
and in one of its most severe paroxysms, when nature is apt to 
wince, he roared three times, ‘ a typhoon ! a typhoon ! a ty- 
phoon !’ and the murder was out. Sure enough, the next day 
we had a regular northeaster ; but old Joe got no sign of pop- 
ularity that time. And now, when you get to America, gentle- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


137 


men and ladies, you will be able to say you have heard the 
story of Joe Bunk and his teapot.” 

Thereupon Captain Truck took two or three hearty whiffs of 
the cigar, turned his face upwards, and permitted the smoke to 
issue forth in a continued stream until it was exhausted, but 
still keeping his head raised in the inconvenient position it had 
taken. The eye of the master, fastened in this manner on 
something aloft, was certain to draw other eyes in the same 
direction, and in a few seconds all around him were gazing in 
the same way, though none but himself could tell why. 

“ Turn up the watch below, Mr. Leach,” Captain Truck at 
length called out, and Eve observed that he threw away the 
cigar, although a fresh one ; a proof, as she fancied, that he was 
preparing for duty. 

The people were soon at their places, and an effort was made 
to get the ship’s head round to the southward. Although the 
frightful stillness of the atmosphere rendered the manoeuvre dif- 
ficult, it succeeded in the end, by profiting by the passing and 
fitful currents, that resembled so many sighings of the air. The 
men were then sent on the yards, to furl all the canvas, with 
the exception of the three topsails and the fore-course, most of 
it having been merely hauled up to await the result. All those 
who had ever been at sea before, saw in these preparations proof 
that Captain Truck expected the change would be sudden and 
severe : still, as he betrayed no uneasiness, they hoped his 
measures were merely those of prudence. Mr. Effingham could 
not refrain from inquiring, however, if there existed any imme- 
diate motives for the preparations that were so actively, though 
not hurriedly, making. 

“ This is no affair for the rheumatis’,” returned the facetious 
master, “ for, look you here, my worthy sir, and you, my dear 
young lady,” — this was a sort of parental familiarity the honest 
Jack fancied he had a right to take with all his unmarried female 
passengers, in virtue of his office, and of his being a bachelor 
drawing hard upon sixty ; — “ look you here, my dear young 


138 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


lady, and you, too, Ma’amsellc, for you can understand the 
clouds, I take it, if they are not French clouds ; do you not see 
the manner in which those black-looking rascals are putting 
their heads together ? They are plotting something quite in 
their own way. I’ll warrant you.” 

“ The clouds are huddling, and rolling over each other, cer- 
tainly,” returned Eve, who had been struck with the wild beauty 
of their evolutions, “ and a noble, though fearful picture they 
present ; but I do not understand the particular meaning of it, if 
there be any hidden omen in their airy flights.” 

“No rheumatis’ about you, young lady,” said the captain, jocu- 
larly ; “ too young, and handsome, and too modern, too, I dare 
say, for that old-fashioned complaint. But on one category 
you may rely, and that is, that nothing in nature conspires with- 
out an object.” 

“ But I do not think vapor whirling in a current of air is a 
conspiracy,” answered Eve, laughing, “ though it may be a 
category.” 

“Perhaps not, — who knows, however? for it is as easy to 
suppose that objects understand each other, as that horses and 
dogs understand each other. We know nothing about it, and, 
therefore, it behooves us to say nothing. If mankind con- 
versed only of the things they understood, half the words might 
be struck out of the dictionaries. But, as I was remarking, 
those clouds, you can see, are getting together, and are making 
ready for a start, since here they will not be able to stay much 
longer.” 

“ And what will compel them to disappear ?” 

“Do me the favor to turn your eyes here, to the nor’west. 
You see an opening there that looks like a crouching lion ; is it 
not so ?” 

“ There is certainly a bright clear streak of sky along the 
margin of the ocean, that has quite lately made its appearance ; 
does it prove that the wind will blow from that quarter ?” 

“Quite as much, my dear young lady, as when you open 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


139 


your window it proves that you mean to put your head out 
of it.” 

“ An act a well-bred young woman very seldom per- 
forms,” observed Mademoiselle Yiefville; “and never in a 
town.” 

“ No ? Well, in our town on the river, the women’s heads 
are half the time out of the windows. But I do not pretend, 
Ma’amselle, to be expert in proprieties of this sort, though I 
can venture to say that I am somewhat of a judge of what the 
winds would be about when they open their shutters. This 
opening to the nor’west, then, is a sure sign of something com- 
ing out of the window, well-bred or not.” 

“ But,” added Eve, “ the clouds above us, and those farther 
south, appear to be hurrying towards your bright opening, cap- 
tain, instead of from it.” 

“ Quite in nature, gentlemen ; quite in nature, ladies. When 
a man has fully made up his mind to retreat, he blusters the 
most ; and one step forward often promises two backward. You 
often see the stormy petrel sailing at a ship as if he meant to 
come aboard, but he takes good care to put his helm down be- 
fore he is fairly in the rigging. So it is with clouds and all 
other things in nature. Vattel says you may make a show of 
fight when your necessities require it, but that a neutral cannot 
fire a gun, unless against pirates. Now, these clouds are put- 
ting the best face on the matter, but in a few minutes you will 
see them wheeling as St. Paul did before them.” 

“ St. Paul, Captain Truck !” 

“ Yes, my dear young lady ; to the right-about.” 

Eve frowned, for she disliked some of these nautical images, 
though it was impossible not to smile in secret at the queer as- 
sociations that so often led the well-meaning master’s discursive 
discourse. His mind was a strange jumble of an early religious 
education, — religious as to externals and professions, at least, — 
with subsequent loose observation and much worldly experience, 
and he drew on his stock of information, according to his own 


140 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


account of the matter, “ as Saunders, the steward, cut the butter 
from the firkins, or as it came first.” 

His prediction concerning the clouds proved to be true, for 
half an hour did not pass before they were seen “ scampering 
out of the way of the nor’wester,” to use the captain’s figure, 
“ like sheep giving play to the dogs.” The horizon brightened 
with a rapidity almost supernatural, and, in a surprisingly short 
space of time, the whole of that frowning vault that had been 
shadowed by murky and menacing vapor, sporting its gambols 
in ominous wildness, was cleared of every thing like a cloud, 
with the exception of -a few white, rich, fleecy piles, that were 
grouped in the north, like a battery discharging its artillery on 
some devoted field. 

The ship betrayed the arrival of the wind by a cracking of 
the spars, as they settled into their places, and then the huge 
hull began to push aside the waters, and to come under con- 
trol. The first shock was far from severe, though, as the cap- 
tain determined to bring his vessel up as near his course as the 
direction of the breeze would permit, he soon found he had as 
much canvas spread as she could bear. Twenty minutes brought 
him to a single reef, and half an hour to a second. 

By this time attention was drawn to the Foam. The old 
superiority of that cruiser was now apparent again, and calcula- 
tions were made concerning the possibility of avoiding her, if 
they continued to stand on much longer on the present course. 
The captain had hoped the Montauk would have the advantage 
from her greater bulk, when the two vessels should be brought 
down to close-reefed topsails, as he foresaw would be the case ; 
but he was soon compelled to abandon even that hope. Further 
to the southward he was resolved he would not go, as it would 
be leading him too far astray, and, at last, he came to the de- 
termination to stand towards the islands, which were as near 
as might be in his track, and to anchor in a neutral roadstead, 
if too hard pressed. 

“He cannot get up with us before midnight, Leach,” he 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


141 


concluded the conference held with the mate by saying ; “ and 
by that time the gale will be at its height, if we are to have a 
gale, and then the gentleman will not be desirous of lowering 
his boats. In the mean time we shall be driving in towards 
the Azores, and it will be nothing out of the course of nature, 
should I find an occasion to play him a trick. As for offering 
up the Montauk a sacrifice on the altar of tobacco, as old Dea- 
con Hourglass used to say in his prayers, it is a category to be 
averted by any catastrophe short of condemnation.” 


142 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XI. 

“ I, that shower dewy light 

Through slumbering leaves, bring storms 1 — the tempest birth 
Of memory, thought, remorse. Be holy, Earth I 

I am the solemn Night !” 

Mbs. Hkmans. 

In this instance, it is not our task to record any of the phe- 
nomena of the ocean, but a regular, though fierce, gale of wind. 
One of the first signs of its severity was the disappearance of 
the passengers from the deck, one shutting himself in his room 
after another, until none remained visible but John Effingham 
and Paul Blunt. Both these gentlemen, as it appeared, had 
made so many passages, and had got to be so familiar with 
ships, that sea-sickness and alarms were equally impotent as 
respects their constitutions and temperaments. 

The poor steerage passengers were no exception, but they 
stole for refuge into their dens, heartily repentant, for the time 
being, at having braved the dangers and discomforts of the sea. 
The gentle wife of Davis would now willingly have returned to 
meet the resentment of her uncle ; and as for the bridegroom 
himself, as Mr. Leach, who passed through this scene of abomi- 
nations to see that all was right, described him, “Mr. Grab 
would not wring him for a dish-cloth, if he could see him in his 
present pickle.” 

Captain Truck chuckled a good deal at this account, for he 
had much the same sympathy for ordinary cases of sea-sick- 
ness, as a kitten feels in the agony of the first mouse it has 
caught, and which it is its sovereign pleasure to play with, in- 
stead of eating. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


143 


“ It serves him right, Mr. Leach, for getting married ; and 
mind you don’t fall into the same abuse of your opportunities,” 
he said, with an air of self-satisfaction, while comparing three 
or four cigars in the palm of his hand, doubtful which of the 
fragrant plump rolls to put into his mouth. “ Getting married, 
Mr. Blunt, commonly makes a man a fit subject for nausea, and 
nothing is easier than to set the stomach-pump in motion in 
one of your bridegrooms ; is not this true as the gospel, Mr. 
John Effingham ?” 

Mr. John Effingham made no reply ; but the young man, 
who at the moment was admiring his fine form and the noble 
outline of his features, was singularly struck with the bitter- 
* ness, not to say anguish, of the smile with which he bowed a 
cold assent. All this was lost on Captain Truck, who proceeded 
con amore, 

“ One of the first things that I ask concerning my passengers 
is, is he married ? when the answer is ‘ no,’ I set him down as 
a good companion in a gale like this, or as one who can smoke, 
or crack a joke when a topsail is flying out of a bolt-rope — a 
companion for a category. Now, if either of you gentlemen 
had a wife, she would have you under hatches to-day, lest you 
should slip through a scupperhole, or be washed overboard with 
the spray, or have your eyebrows blown away in such a gale, 
and then I should lose the honor of your company. Comfort 
is too precious to be thrown away in matrimony. A man may 
gain foreknowledge by a wife, but he loses free agency. As 
for you, Mr. John Effingham, you must have coiled away about 
half a century of life, and there is not much to fear on your 
account ; but Mr. Blunt is still young enough to be in danger 
of a mishap. I wish Neptune would come aboard of us, here- 
away, and swear you to be true and constant to yourself, young 
gentleman.” 

Paul laughed, colored slightly, and then rallying, he replied 
in the same voice : 

“At the risk of losing your good opinion, captain, and even 


144 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


in the face of this gale, I shall avow myself an advocate of 
matrimony.” 

“ If you will answer me one question, my dear sir, I will tell 
you whether the case is, or is not, hopeless.” 

“ In order to assent to this, you will of course see the neces- 
sity of letting me know what the question is.” 

“ Have you made up your mind who the young woman shall 
be ? If that point is settled, I can only recommend to you some 
of Joe Bunk’s souchong, and advise you to submit, for there is 
no resisting one’s fate. The reason your Turks yield so easily 
to predestination and fate, is the number of their wives. Many 
a book is written to show the cause of their submitting their 
necks so easily to the sword and the bow-string. I’ve been in • 
Turkey, gentlemen, and know something of their ways. The 
reason of their submitting so quietly to be beheaded is, that 
they are always ready to hang themselves. How is the fact, 
sir ? have you settled upon the young lady in your own mind 
or not ?” 

Although there was nothing in all this but the permitted tri- 
fling of boon-companions on ship-board, Paul Blunt received it 
with an awkwardness one would hardly have expected in a 
young man of his knowledge of the world. He reddened, 
laughed, made an effort to throw the captain to a greater dis- 
tance by reserve, and in the end fairly gave up the matter, by 
walking to another part of the deck. Luckily, the attention of 
the honest master was drawn to the ship, at that instant, and 
Paul flattered himself he was unperceived; but the shadow of 
a figure at his elbow startled him, and, turning quickly, he 
found Mr. John Eflingham at his side. 

“ Her mother was an angel,” said the latter, huskily. “ I, 
too, love her ; but it is as a father.” 

“ Sir ! — Mr. Effingham ! — these are sudden and unexpected 
remarks, and such as I am not prepared for.” 

“ Do you think one as jealous of that fair creature as I, could 
have overlooked your passion ? She is loved by both of you, 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


145 


and she merits the warmest affection of a thousand. Persevere, 
for while I have no voice, and, I fear, little influence on her de- 
cision, some strange sympathy causes me to wish you success. 
My own man told me that you have met before, and with her 
father’s knowledge, and this is all I ask, for my kinsman is dis- 
creet. He probably knows you, though I do not.” 

The face of Paul glowed like fire, and he almost gasped for 
breath. Pitying his distress, Efiingham smiled kindly, and was 
about to quit him, when he felt his hand convulsively grasped 
by those of the young man. 

“ Do not quit me, Mr. Efiingham, I entreat you,” he said 
rapidly ; “ it is so unusual for me to hear words of confidence, 
or even of kindness, that they are most precious to me ! I have 
permitted myself to be disturbed by the random remarks of that 
well-meaning, but unreflecting man ; but in a moment I shall 
be more composed — more manly — less unworthy of your at- 
tention and pity.” 

“ Pity is a word I should never have thought of applying to 
the person, character, attainments, or as I hoped, fortunes of 
Mr. Blunt ; and I sincerely trust that you will acquit me of im- 
pertinence. I have felt an interest in you, young man, that I 
have long ceased to feel in most of my species, and I trust this 
will be some apology for the liberty I have taken. Perhaps 
the suspicion that you were anxious to stand well in the good 
opinion of my little cousin was at the bottom of it all.” 

“ Indeed you have not misconceived my anxiety, sir ; for 
who is there that could be indifferent to the good opinion of 
one so simple and yet so cultivated ; with a mind in which na- 
ture and knowledge seem to struggle for the possession. One, 
Mr. Efiingham, so little like the cold sophistication and heart- 
lessness of Europe on the one hand, and the unformed girlish- 
ness of America, on the other ; one, in short, so every way 
what the fondest father or the most sensitive brother could 
wish.” 

John Effingham smiled, for to smile at any weakness was 

1 


146 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


with him a habit ; but his eye glistened. After a moment of 
doubt, he turned to his young companion, and with a delicacy 
of expression and a dignity of manner that none could excel 
him in, when he chose, he put a question that for several days 
had been uppermost in his thoughts, though no fitting occasion 
had ever before offered, on which he thought he might venture. 

“This frank confidence emboldens me — one who ought to 
be ashamed to boast of his greater experience, when every day 
shows him to how little profit it has been turned, to presume 
to render our acquaintance less formal, by alluding to interests 
more personal than strangers have a right to touch on. You 
speak of the two parts of the world just mentioned, in a way to 
show me you are equally acquainted with both.” 

“ I have often crossed the ocean, and, for so young a man, 
have seen a full share of their societies. Perhaps it increases 
my interest in your lovely kinswoman, that, like myself, she 
properly belongs to neither.” 

“ Be cautious how you whisper that in her ear, my youthful 
friend ; for Eve Effingham fancies herself as much American in 
character as in birth. Single-minded and totally without 
management, — devoted to her duties, — ^religious without cant, 
— a warm friend of liberal institutions, without the slightest 
approach to the impracticable, in heart and soul a woman, you 
will find it hard to persuade her, that with all her practice in 
the world, and all her extensive attainments, she is more than 
a humble copy of her own great heau idial” 

Paul smiled, and his eyes met those of John Effingham — the 
expression of both satisfied the parties that they thought alike 
in more things than in their common admiration of the subject 
of their discourse. 

“ I feel I have not been as explicit as I ought to be with you, 
Mr. Effingham,” the young man resumed, after a pause ; “ but 
on a more fitting occasion, I shall presume on your kindness to 
be less reserved. My lot has thrown me on the world, almost 
without friends, quite without relatives, so far as intercourse 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


147 


with them is concerned; and I have known little of the lan- 
guage or the acts of the affections.” 

John Effingham pressed his hand, and from that time he 
cautiously abstained from any allusion to his personal concerns ; 
for a suspicion crossed his mind that the subject was painful to 
the young man. He knew that thousands of well-educated 
and frequently of affiuent people, of both sexes, were to be found 
in Europe, to whom, from the circumstance of having been born 
out of wedlock, through divorces, or other family misfortunes, 
their private histories were painful, and he at once inferred that 
some such event, quite probably the first, lay at the bottom of 
Paul Blunfs peculiar situation. Notwithstanding his warm 
attachment to Eve, he had too much confidence in her own as 
well as in her father’s judgment, to suppose an acquaintance of 
any intimacy would be lightly permitted ; and as to the mere 
prejudices connected with such subjects, he was quite free from 
them. Perhaps his masculine independence of character caused 
him, on all such points, to lean to the side of the ultra in liber- 
ality. 

In this short dialogue, with the exception of the slight though 
unequivocal allusion of John Effingham, both had avoided any 
further allusions to Mr. Sharp, or to his supposed attachment 
to Eve. Both were confident of its existence, and this perhaps 
was one reason why neither felt any necessity to advert to it ; 
for it was a delicate subject, and one, under the circumstances, 
that they would mutually wish to forget in their cooler moments. 
The conversation then took a more general character, and for 
several hours that day, while the rest of the passengers were 
kept below by the state of the weather, these two were together, 
laying, what perhaps it was now too late to term, the founda- 
tion of a generous and sincere friendship. Hitherto Paul had 
regarded < John Effingham with distrust and awe, but he found 
him a man so different from what report and his own fancy had 
pictured, that the reaction in his feelings served to heighten 
them, and to aid in increasing his respect. On the other hand, the 


148 


homeward bound. 


young man exhibited so much modest good sense, a fund of in- 
formation so much beyond his years, such integrity and justice 
of sentiment, that when they separated for the night, the old 
bachelor was full of regret that nature had not made him the 
parent of such a son. 

All this time the business of the ship had gone on. The 
wind increased steadily, until, as the sun went down. Captain 
Truck announced it, in the cabin, to be a “ regular-built gale 
of wind.” Sail after sail had been reduced or furled, until 
the Montauk was lying-to under her foresail, a close-reefed 
maintop-sail, a foretop-mast staysail, and a mizzen staysail. 
Doubts were even entertained whether the second of these 
sails would not have to be handed soon, and the foresail itself 
reefed. 

The ship’s head was to the south-southwest, her drift con- 
siderable, and her way of course barely sufficient to cause her 
to feel her helm. The Foam had gained on her several miles 
during the time sail could be carried ; but she, also, had been 
obliged to heave-to, at the same increase of the sea and wind 
as that which had forced Mr. Truck to lash his wheel down. 
This state of things made a considerable change in the relative 
positions of the two vessels again ; the next morning showing 
the sloop-of-war hull down, and well on the weather-beam of 
the packet. Her sharper mould and more weatherly qualities 
had done her this service, as became a ship intended for war 
and the chase. 

At all this, however. Captain Truck laughed. He could not 
be boarded in such weather, and it was matter of indifference 
where his pursuer might be, so long as he had time to escape, 
when the gale ceased. On the whole he was rather glad than 
otherwise of the present state of things, for it offered a chance 
to slip away to leeward as soon as the weather wou^d permit, 
if, indeed, his tormentor did not altogether disappear in the 
northern board, or to windward. 

The hopes and fears of the worthy master, however, were 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


149 


poured principally into the ears of his two mates ; for few of 
the passengers were visible until the afternoon of the second 
day of the gale : then, indeed, a general relief to their physical 
suffering occurred, though it was accompanied by apprehen- 
sions that scarcely permitted the change to be enjoyed. About 
noon, on that day, the wind came with such power, and the 
seas poured down against the hows of the ship with a violence 
so tremendous, that it got to be questionable whether she could 
any longer remain with safety in her present condition. Seve- 
ral times in the course of the morning, the waves had forced 
her bows off, and before the ship could recover her position, 
the succeeding billow would break against her broadside, and 
throw a flood of water on her decks. This is a danger peculiar 
to lying-to in a gale ; for if the vessel get into the trough of the 
sea, and is met in that situation by a wave of unusual magni- 
tude, she runs the double risk of being thrown on her beam- 
ends, and of having her decks cleared of every thing, by the 
cataract of water that washes athwart them. Landsmen enter- 
tain little notion of the power of the waters, when driven before 
a tempest, and are often surprised, in reading of naval catas- 
trophes, at the description of the injuries done. But experience 
shows that boats, hurricane-houses, guns, anchors of enormous 
weight, bulwarks and planks, are even swept off into the ocean, 
in this manner, or are ripped up from their fastenings. 

The process of lying-to has a double advantage, so long as it 
can be maintained, since it offers the strongest portion of the 
vessel to the shock of the seas, and has the merit of keeping 
her as near as possible to the desired direction. But it is a 
middle course, being often adopted as an expedient of safety 
when a ship cannot scud; and then, again, it is -abandoned for 
scudding when the gale is so intensely severe that it becomes 
in itself dangerous. In nothing are the high qualities of a ship 
so thoroughly tried as in their manner of behaving, as it is 
termed, in these moments of difficulty ; nor is the seamanship 
of tlie accomplished officer so triumphantly established in any 


160 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


other part of his professional knowledge, as when he has had 
an opportunity of showing that he knows how to dispose of the 
vast weight his vessel is to .carry, so as to enable her mould to 
exhibit its perfection, and on occasion to turn both to the best 
account. 

Nothing will seem easier to a landsman than for a vessel to 
run before the wind, let the force of the gale be what it may. 
But his ignorance overlooks most of the difficulties, nor shall 
we anticipate their dangers, but let them take their places in 
the regular thread of the narrative. 

Long before noon, or the hour mentioned. Captain Truck 
foresaw that, in consequence of the seas that were constantly 
coming on board of her, he should be compelled to put his ship 
before the wind. He delayed the manoeuvre to the last mo- 
ment, however, for what he deemed to be sufficient reasons. 
The longer he kept the ship lying-to, the less he deviated from 
his proper course to New York, and the greater was the proba- 
bility of his escaping, stealthily and without observation, from 
the Foam, since the latter, by maintaining her position better, 
allowed the Montauk to drift gradually to leeward, and, of 
course, to a greater distance. 

But the crisis would no longer admit of delay. All hands 
were called ; the maintop-sail was hauled up, not without much 
difficulty, and then Captain Truck reluctantly gave the order 
to haul down the mizzen-staysail, to put the helm hard up, 
and to help the ship round with the yards. This is at all times 
a critical change, as has just been mentioned, for the vessel is 
exposed to the ravages of any sea, larger than common, that 
may happen to strike her as she lies, nearly motionless, with 
her broadside exposed to its force. To accomplish it, there- 
fore, Captain Truck went up a few ratlines in the fore-rigging 
(he was too nice a calculator to offer even a surface as small as 
his own body to the wind, in the after shrouds), whence he 
looked out to windward for a lull, and a moment when the 
ocean had fewer billows than common of the larger and more 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


151 


dangerous kind. At the desired instant he signed with his hand, 
and the wheel was shifted from hard-down to hard-up 

This is always a breathless moment in a ship, for as none can 
foresee the result, it resembles the entrance of a hostile battery. 
A dozen men may be swept away in an instant, or the ship 
herself hove over on her side. John Effingham and Paul, who 
of all the passengers were alone on deck, understood the haz- 
ards, and they watched the slightest change with the interest of 
men who had so much at stake. At first, the movement of 
the ship was sluggish, and such as ill-suited the eagerness of 
the crew. Then her pitching ceased, and she settled into the 
enormous trough bodily, or the whole fabric sunk, as it were, 
never to rise again. So low did she fall, that the foresail gave 
a tremendous flap; one that shook the hull and spars from 
stem to stern. As she rose on the next surge, happily its foam- 
ing crest slid beneath her, and the tall masts rolled heavily to 
windward. Recovering her equilibrium, the ship started through 
the brine, and as the succeeding roller came on, she was urg- 
ing ahead fast. Still, the sea struck her abeam, forcing her 
bodily to leeward, and heaving the lower yard-arms into the 
ocean. Tons of water fell on her decks, with the dull sound of 
the clod on the coffin. At this grand movement, old Jack 
Truck, who was standing in the rigging, dripping with the 
spray, that had washed over him, with a naked head, and his 
gray hair glistening, shouted like a Stentor, “Haul in your 
fore-braces, boys ! away with the yard, like a fiddlestick !” 
Every nerve was strained ; the unwilling yards, pressed upon 
by an almost irresistible column of air, yielded slowly, and as 
the sail met the gale more perpendicularly, or at right angles 
to its surface, it dragged the vast hull through the sea with a 
power equal to that of a steam-engine. Ere another sea could 
follow, the Montauk was glancing through the ocean at a furious 
rate, and though ofi*ering her quarter to the billows, their force 
was now so much diminished by her own velocity, as to de- 
prive them of their principal danger. 


152 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


The motion of the ship immediately became easy, though 
her situation was still far from being without risk. ISTo longer 
compelled to buffet the waves, but sliding along in their com- 
pany, the motion ceased to disturb the systems of the passen- 
gers, and ten minutes had not elapsed before most of them were 
again on deck, seeking the relief of the open air. Among the 
others was Eve, leaning on the arm of her father. 

It was a terrific scene, though one might now contemplate 
it without personal inconvenience. The gentlemen gathered 
around the beautiful and appalled spectatress of this grand 
sight, anxious to know the effect it might produce on one of 
her delicate frame and habits. She expressed herself as awed, 
but not alarmed ; for the habits of dependence usually leave 
females less affected by fear, in such cases, than those who, by 
their sex, are supposed to be responsible. 

Mademoiselle Yiefville has promised to follow me,” she said, 
“ and as I have a national claim to be a sailor, you are not to 
expect hysterics or even ecstasies from me ; but reserve your- 
selves, gentlemen, for the ParisienneP 

The Parisienne^ sure enough, soon came out of the hurricane- 
house, with elevated hands, and eyes eloquent of admiration, 
wonder, and fear. Her first exclamations were those of terror, 
and then turning a wistful look on Eve, she burst into tears. 
“AA, ceci est dkiBifP she exclaimed. “When we part, we 
shall be separated for life.” 

“ Then we will not part at all, my dear mademoiselle ; you 
have only to remain in America, to escape all future inconve- 
niences of the ocean. But forget the danger, and admire the 
sublimity of this terrific panorama.” 

Well might Eve thus term the scene. The hazards now to 
be avoided were those of the ship’s broaching-to, and of being 
pooped. Nothing may seem easier, as has been said, than to 
“ sail before the wind,” the words having passed into a proverb \ 
but there are times when even a favoring gale becomes prolific 
of dangers, that we shall now briefly explain. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


153 


The velocity of the water, urged as it is before a tempest, is 
often as great as that of the ship, and at such moments the rud- 
der is useless, its whole power being derived from its action as a 
moving body against the element in comparative repose. When 
ship and water move together, at an equal rate, in the same 
direction, of course this power of the helm is neutralized, and 
then the hull is driven much at the mercy of the winds and 
waves. Nor is this all ; the rapidity of the billows often ex- 
ceeds that of a ship, and then the action of the rudder becomes 
momentarily reversed, producing an effect exactly opposite to 
that which is desired. It is true, this last difficulty is never of 
more than a few moments’ continuance, else indeed would the 
condition of the mariner be hopeless ; but it is of constant oc- 
currence, and so irregular as to defy calculations and defeat 
caution. In the present instance, the Montauk would seem to 
fly through the water, so swift was her progress ; and then, as 
a furious surge overtook her in the chase, she settled heavily 
into the element, like a wounded animal, that, despairing of es- 
cape, sinks helplessly in the grass, resigned to fate. At such 
times the crests of the waves swept past her, like vapor in the 
atmosphere ; and one unpractised would be apt to think the 
ship stationary, though in truth whirling along in company 
with a frightful momentum. 

It is scarcely necessary to say, that the process of scudding 
requires the nicest attention to the helm, in order that the hull 
may be brought speedily back to the right direction, when 
thrown aside by the power of the billows ; for, besides losing 
her way in the caldron of water — an imminent danger of 
itself — if left exposed to the attack of the succeeding wave, her 
decks at least would be swept, even should she escape a still 
more serious calamity. 

Pooping is a hazard of another nature, and is also peculiar 
to the process of scudding. It merely means the ship’s being 
overtaken by the waters while running from them, when the 
crest of a sea, broken by the resistance, is thrown inboard, over 


154 


homeward bound. 


the taffrail or quarter. The term is derived from the name of 
that particular portion of the ship. In order to avoid this risk, 
sail is carried on the vessel as long as possible, it being deemed 
one of the greatest securities of scudding, to force the hull 
through the water at the greatest attainable rate. In conse- 
quence of these complicated risks, ships that sail the fastest and 
steer the easiest, scud the best. There is, however, a species of 
velocity that becomes of itself a source of new danger ; thus, 
exceedingly sharp vessels have been known to force themselves 
so far into the watery mounds in their front, and to receive so 
much of the element on their decks, as never to rise again. 
This is a fate to which those who attempt to sail the American 
clipper without understanding its properties are peculiarly 
liable. On account of this risk, however, there was now no 
cause of apprehension, the full-bowed, kettle-bottomed Montauk 
being exempt from the danger ; though Captain Truck inti- 
mated his doubts whether the corvette would like to brave the 
course he had himself adopted. 

In this opinion, the fact would seem to sustain the master of 
the packet ; for when the night shut in, the spars of the Foam 
were faintly discernible, drawn like spiders’ webs on the bright 
streak of the evening sky. In a few more minutes, even this 
tracery, which resembled that of a magic-lantern, vanished from 
the eyes of those aloft ; for it had not been seen by any on deck 
for more than an hour. 

The magnificent horrors of the scene increased with the dark- 
ness. Eve and her companions stood supported by the hurri- 
cane-house, watching it for hours, the supernatural-looking light, 
emitted by the foaming sea rendering the spectacle one of at- 
tractive terror. Even the consciousness of the hazards heightened 
the pleasure; for there was a solemn and grand enjoyment 
mingled with it all, and the first watch had been set an hour, 
before the party had resolution enough to tear themselves from 
the sublime sight of a raging sea. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Ii55 


CHAPTER XII. 

“ Touch. Waet ever in court, shepherd ? 

Cor. No, truly. 

Touch. Then thou art damn’d. 

Cor. Nay, I hope 

Touch. Truly, thou art damn’d, like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side.” 

As Ton Like It. 

No one thought of seeking his berth when all the passengers 
were below. Some conversed in broken, half-intelligible dia- 
logues, a few tried unavailingly to read, and more sat look- 
ing at each other in silent misgivings, as the gale howled through 
the cordage and spars, or among the angles and bulwarks of the 
ship. Eve was seated on a sofa in her own apartment, leaning 
on the breast of her father, gazing silently through the open 
doors into the forward cabin ; for all idea of retiring within 
one’s self, unless it might be to secret prayer, was banished from 
the mind. Even Mr. Dodge had forgotten the gnawings of 
envy, his philanthropical and exclusive democracy, and, what 
was perhaps more convincing still of his passing views of this 
sublunary world, his profound deference for rank, as betrayed in 
his strong desire to cultivate an intimacy with Sir George Tem- 
plemore. As for the baronet himself, he sat by the cabin-table 
with his face buried in his hands, and once he had been heard 
to express a regret that he had ever embarked. 

Saunders broke the moody stillness of this characteristic 
party, with preparations for a supper. He took but one end of 
the table for his clcfth, and a single cover showed that Captain 
Truck was about to dine,' a thing he had not yet done that day. 
The attentive steward had an eye to his commander’s tastes ; 


15d 


homeward bound. 


for it is not often one sees a better garnished board than was 
spread on this occasion, so far at least as quantity was con- 
cerned. Besides the usual solids of ham, corned-beef, and 
roasted shoat, there were carcases of ducks, pickled oysters — a 
delicacy almost peculiar to America — and all the minor condi- 
ments of olives, anchovies, dates, figs, almonds, raisins, cold 
potatoes, and puddings, displayed in a single course, and ar- 
ranged on the table solely with regard to the reach of Cap- 
tain Truck’s arm. Although Saunders was not quite without 
taste, he too well knew the propensities of his superior to neg- 
lect any of these important essentials, and great care was had, 
in particular, so to dispose of every thing as to render the whole 
so many radii diverging from a common centre, which centre 
was the stationary armchair that the master of the packet loved 
to fill in his hours of ease. 

“ You will make many voyages, Mr. Toast,” — the steward 
affectedly gave his subordinate, or as he was sometimes face- 
tiously called, the steward’s mate, reason to understand, when 
they had retired to the pantry to await the captain’s appear- 
ance — “ before you accumulate all the niceties of a gentleman’s 
dinner. Every plat'' (Saunders had been in the Havre line, 
where he had caught a few words of this nature), “ every plat 
should be within reach of the convive's arm, and particularly if 
it happen to be Captain Truck, who has a great awersion to 
delays at his diet. As for the entremets^ they may be scat- 
tered miscellaneously with the salt and the mustard, so that 
they can come with facility in their proper places.” 

“ I don’t know what an entremet is,” returned the subordi- 
nate, “ and I exceedingly desire, sir, to receive my orders in such 
English as a gentleman can diwine.” 

An entremet^ Mr. Toast, is a mouthful thrown in promis- 
cuously between the reliefs of the solids. Now, suppose a 
gentleman begins on pig ; when he has eafen enough of this, 
he likes a little brandy and water, or 'a glass of porter, before 
he cuts into the beef ; and while I’m mixing the first, or start- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


157 


ing the cork, he refreshes himself with an entremet^ such as 
a wing of a duck, or perhaps a plate of pickled oysters. You 
must know that there is great odds in passengers ; one set eat- 
ing and jollifying, from the hour we sail till the hour we get in, 
while another takes the ocean as it might be sentimentally.” 

“ Sentimentally, sir ! I s’pose those be they as uses the basins 
uncommon ?” 

“ That depends on the weather. I’ve known a party not eat 
as much as would set one handsome table in a week, and then, 
when they conwalesced, it was intimidating how they dewoured. 
It makes a great difference, too, whether the passengers acqui- 
esce well together or not, for agreeable feelings give a fine ap- 
petite. Lovers make cheap passengers always.” 

“ That is extr’or’nary, for I thought such as they was always 
hard to please, with every thing but one another.” 

“ You never were more mistaken. I’ve seen a lover who 
couldn’t tell a sweet potato from an onion, or a canvas-back from 
an old- wife. But of all mortals in the way of passengers, the 
bagman or go-between is my greatest animosity. These fel- 
lows will sit up all night, if the captain consents, and lie abed 
next day, and do nothing but drink in their berths. Now, this 
time we have a compliable set, and on the whole, it is quite a 
condescension and pleasure to wait on them.” 

“ Well, I think, Mr. Saunders, they isn’t alike as much as 
they might be nother.” 

“ Not more so than wenison and pig. Perfectly correct, sir ; 
for this cabin is a lobscouse as regards deportment and charac- 
ter. I set all the Effinghams down as tip-tops, or, A No. 1, as 
Mr. Leach calls his ship ; and then Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt 
are quite the gentlemen. Nothing is easier, Mr. Toast, than to 
tell a gentleman ; and as you have set up a new profession, — 
in which I hope, for the credit of the color, you will be pros- 
perous, — it is well worth your while to know how this is done, 
especially as you need never expect much from a passenger, 
that is not a true gentleman, but trouble. There is Mr. John 


158 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Effingham, in particular ; his man says he never anticipates 
change, and if a coat confines his arm, he repudiates it on the 
spot.” 

“Well, it must he a satisfaction to serve such a companion. 

I think Mr. Dodge, sir, quite a feller.” 

“ Your taste. Toast, is getting to be observable, and by culti- 
vating it, you will soon be remarkable for a knowledge of man- 
kind. Mr. Dodge, as you werry justly insinuate, is not werry 
refined, or particularly well suited to figure in genteel society.” 

“ And yet he seems attached to it, Mr. Saunders, for he has 
purposed to establish five or six societies since we sailed.” 

“Werry true, sir; but then every society is not genteel. 
When we get back to New York, Toast, I must see and get you 
into a better set than the one you occupied when we sailed. 
You will not do yet for our circle, which is altogether conclu- 
sive ; but you might be elevated. Mr. Dodge has been elec- 
tioneering with me, to see if we cannot inwent a society among 
the steerage passengers for the abstinence of liquors, and an- 
other for the perpetration of the morals and religious principles • 
of our forefathers. As for the first. Toast, I told him it was 
suflSciently indurable to be confined in a hole like the steerage, 
without being percluded from the consolation of a little drink ; 
and as for the last, it appeared to me that such a preposition 
inwolwed an attack on liberty of conscience.” 

“ There you giv’d him, sir, quite as good as he sent,” returned 
the steward’s mate, chuckling — or perhaps sniggering would 
be a word better suited to his habits of cachinnation — “ and I 
should have been glad to witness his confusion. It seems to 
me, Mr. Saunders, that Mr. Dodge loves to get up his societies 
in support of liberty and religion, that he may predominate 
over both by his own ijiwentions.” 

Saunders laid his long yellow finger on the broad flat nose of 
his mate, with an air of approbation, as he replied — 

“ Toast, you have hit his character as pat as I touch your 
Roman. He is a man fit to make proselytes among the wulgar 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


159 


and Irish,” — the Hibernian peasant and the American negro 
are sworn enemies — “ but quite unfit for any thing respectable 
or decent. Were it not for Sir George, I would scarcely de- 
scend to clean his stateroom.” 

“ What is your sentiments, Mr. Saunders, respecting Sir 
George ?” 

“ Why, Sir George is a titled gentleman, and of course is not 
to be strictured too freely. He has complimented me already 
with a sovereign, and apprised me of his intention to be more 
particular when we get in.” 

“ I feel astonished such a gentleman should neglect to insure 
a stateroom to his own convenience.” 

“ Sir George has elucidated all that in a conversation we had 
in his room, soon after our acquaintance commenced. He is 
going to Canada on public business, and sailed at an hour’s in- 
terval. He was too late for a single room, and his own man is 
to follow with most of his effects by the next ship. Oh ! Sir 
George may be safely put down as respectable and liberalized, 
though thrown into disparagement perhaps by forty circum- 
stances.” 

Mr. Saunders, who had run his vocabulary hard in this con- 
versation, meant to say “ fortuitous ;” and Toast thought that 
so many circumstances might well reduce a better man to a 
dilemma. After a moment of thought, or what in his orbicular 
shining features he fancied passed for thought, he said — 

“ I seem to diwine, Mr. Saunders, that the EflSnghams do not 
much intimate Sir George.” 

Saunders looked out of the pantry-door to reconnoitre, and 
finding the sober quiet already described reigning, he opened a 
drawer, and drew forth a London newspaper. 

“ To treat you with the confidence of a gentleman in a situa- 
tion as respectable and responsible as the one you occupy, Mr. 
Toast,” he said, “ a little ewent has transpired in my presence 
yesterday, that I thought suflSciently particular to be designated 
by retaining this paper. Mr. Sharp and Sir George happened 


160 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


to be in tbe cabin together, alone, and the last, as it suggested 
to me. Toast, was desirous of removing some of the haughter of 
the first, for you may have observed that there has been no 
conversation between any of the Eflfinghams, or Mr. Blunt, or 
Mr. Sharp, and the baronet ; and so, to break the ice of his 
haughter, as it might be. Sir George says, ‘ Really, Mr. Sharp, 
the papers have got to be so personally particular, that one 
cannot run into the country for a mouthful of fresh air that 
they don’t record it. Now, I thought not a soul knew of my 
departure for America, and yet here you see they have men- 
tioned it, with more particulars than are agreeable.’ On con- 
cluding, Sir George gave Mr. Sharp this paper, and indicated 
this here paragraph. Mr. Sharp perused it, laid down the 
paper, and retorted coldly, ‘ It is indeed quite surprising, sir ; 
but impudence is a general fault of the age.’ And then he left 
the cabin solus. Sir George was so wexed, he went into his 
stateroom and forgot the paper, which fell to the steward, you 
know, on a principle laid down in Wattel, Toast.” 

Here the two worthies indulged in a smothered merriment 
of their own, at the expense of their commander ; for, though 
a dignified man in general, Mr. Saunders could laugh on occa- 
sion, and, according to his own opinion of himself, he danced 
particularly well. 

“ Would you like to read the paragraph, Mr. Toast?” 

“ Quite unnecessary, sir ; your account will be perfectly legi- 
ble and satisfactory.” 

By this touch of politeness, Mr. Toast, who knew as much 
of the art of reading as a monkey commonly knows of mathe- 
matics, got rid of the awkwardness of acknowledging the care- 
less manner in which he had trifled with his early opportuni- 
ties. Luckily, Mr. Saunders, who had been educated as a 
servant in a gentleman’s family, was better off, and as he was 
vain of all his advantages, he was particularly pleased to have 
an opportunity of exhibiting them. Turning to the pai-agraph, 
he read the following lines, in that sort of didactic tone and 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


161 


elaborate style with which gentlemen who commence the graces 
after thirty are a little apt to make bows : 

“We understand Sir George Templemore, Bart., the member 
for Boodleigh, is about to visit our American colonies, with a 
view to make himself intimately acquainted with the merits of 
the unpleasant questions by which they are just now agitated, 
and with the intention of entering into the debates in the 
House on that interesting subject on his return. We believe 
that Sir George will sail in the packet of the first from Liver- 
pool, and will return in time to be in his seat after the Easter 
holidays. His people and effects left town yesterday by the 
Liverpool coach. During the baronet’s absence, his county 
will be hunted by Sir Gervaise de Brush, though the establish- 
ment at Templemore Hall will be kept up.” 

“ How came Sir George here, then ?” Mr. Toast very natu- 
rally inquired. 

“ Having been kept too late in London, he was obliged to 
come this way or to be left. It is sometimes as close work to 
get the passenger's on board, Mr. Toast, as to get the people. I 
have often admired how gentlemen and ladies love procrasti- 
nating, when dishes that ought to be taken hot, are getting to 
be quite insipid and uneatable.” 

“ Saunders !” cried the hearty voice of Captain Truck, who 
had taken possession of what he called his throne in the cabin. 
All the steward’s elegant diction and finish of demeanor van- 
ished at the well-known sound, and, thrusting his head out of 
the pantry-door, he gave the prompt ship-answer to a call — 

“Ay, ay, sir!” 

“Come, none of your dictionary in the pantry there, but 
show your physiognomy in my presence. What the devil do 
you think Mattel would say to such a supper as this?” 

“I think, sir, he would call it a werry good supper for a 
ship in a hard gale of wind. That’s my honest opinion. Cap- 
tain Truck, and I never deceive any gentleman in a matter of 
food. I think Mr. Wattel would approve of that there supper, sir.” 


162 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Perhaps he might, for he has made blunders as well as an- 
other man. Go, mix me a glass of just what I love, when I’ve 
n6t had a drop all day. Gentlemen, will any of you honor 
me, by sharing in a cut ? This beef is not indigestible, and 
here is a real Marylander, in the way of a ham ; no want of 
oakum to fill up tbe chinks with, either.” 

Most of the gentlemen were too full of the gale to wish to 
eat; besides, they had not fasted like Captain Truck since 
morning. But Mr. Monday, the bagman, as John Eflfingham 
had termed him, and who had been often enough at sea to 
know something of its varieties, consented to take a glass of 
brandy and water, as a corrective of the Madeira he had been 
swallowing. The appetite of Captain Truck was little afiected 
by the state of the weather, however ; for though too attentive 
to his duties to quit the deck until he had ascertained how 
matters were going on, now that he had fairly made up his 
mind to eat, he set about it with a heartiness and simplicity 
that proved his total disregard of appearances when his hunger 
was sharp. For some time he was too much occupied to talk, 
making regular attacks upon the different plats, as Mr. Saun- 
ders called them, without much regard to the cookery or the 
material. The only pauses were to drink, and this was always 
done with a steadiness that never left a drop in the glass. Still 
Mr. Truck was a temperate man ; for he never consumed more 
than his physical wants appeared to require, or his physi- 
cal energies knew how to dispose of. At length, however, 
he came to the steward’s entremets, or he began to stuff* 
what he, himself, had called “ oakum,” into the chinks of his 
dinner. 

Mr. Sharp had watched the whole process from the ladies’ 
cabin, as indeed had Eve ; and thinking this a favorable occa- 
sion to ascertain the state of things on deck, the former came 
into the main cabin, commissioned by the latter, to make the 
inquiry. 

“ The ladies are desirous of knowing where we are, and what 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


163 


is the state of the gale, Captain Truck,” said the gentleman, 
when he had seated himself near the throne. 

“ My dear young lady,” called out the captain, by way of 
cutting short the diplomacy of employing ambassadors between 
them, “ I wish in my heart I could persuade you and Made- 
moiselle V. A. V.” (for so he called the governess, in imitation 
of Eve’s pronunciation of her name), “to try a few of these 
pickled oysters ; they are as delicate as yourselves, and worthy 
to he set before a mermaid, if there were any such thing.” 

“ I thank you for the compliment. Captain Truck ; and while 
I ask leave to decline it, I beg leave to refer you to the pleni- 
potentiary Mademoiselle Viefville” (Eve would not say herself) 
“ has intrusted with her wishes.” 

“ Thus you perceive, sir,” interposed Mr. Sharp again, “ you 
will have to treat with me, by all the principles laid down by 
Vattel.” 

“ And treat you too, my good sir. Let me persuade you to 
try a slice of this anti-abolitionist,” laying his knife on the ham, 
which he still continued to regard himself with a sort of melan- 
choly interest. No ? well, T hold over-persuasion as the next 
thing to neglect. I am satisfied, sir, after all, as Saunders says, 
that Vattel himself, unless more unreasonable at his grub than 
in matters of state, would be a happier man after he had been 
at his table twenty minutes, than before he sat down.” 

Mr. Sharp perceiving that it was idle to pursue his inquiry 
while the other was in one of his discursive humors, deter- 
mined to let things take their course, and fell into the captain’s 
own vein. 

“If Vattel would approve of the repast, few men ought to 
repine at their fortune in being so well provided.” 

“ I flatter myself, sir, that I understand a supper, especially 
in a gale of wind, as well as Mr. Vattel, or any other man 
could do.” 

“ And yet Vattel was one of the most celebrated cooks of 
his day.” 


164 


homeward bound. 


Captain Truck stared, looked his grave companion steadily 
in the eye, for he was too much addicted to mystifying, not to 
distrust others, and picked his teeth with redoubled dili- 
gence. 

“ Vattel a cook ! This is the first I ever heard of it.” 

“ There was a Vattel, in a former age, who stood at the head 
of his art as a cook ; this I can assure you, on my honor : he 
may not have been your Vattel, however.” 

“Sir, there never were two Vattels. This is extraordinary 
news to me, and I scarcely know how to receive it.” 

“ If you doubt my information, you may ask any of the other 
passengers. Either of the Mr. Efiinghams, or Mr. Blunt, or 
Miss EflSngham, or Mademoiselle Viefville, will confirm what I 
tell you, I think ; especially the latter, for he was her coun- 
tryman.” 

Hereupon Captain Truck began to stuff in the oakum again, 
for the calm countenance of Mr. Sharp produced an effect; and 
as he was pondering on the consequences of his oracle’s turning 
out to be a cook, he thought it not amiss to be eating, as it 
were, incidentally. After swallowing a dozen olives, six or eight 
anchovies, as many pickled oysters, and raisins and almonds, as 
the advertisements say a volonti^ he suddenly struck his fist on 
the table, and announced his intention of putting the question 
to both the ladies. 

“ My dear young lady,” he called out, “ will you do me the 
honor to say whether you ever heard of a cook of the name 
of Vattel ?” 

Eve laughed, and her sweet tones were infectious amid the 
dull howling of the gale, which was constantly heard in the 
cabins, like a bass accompaniment, or the distant roar of a cata- 
ract among the singing of birds. 

“ Certainly, captain,” she answered ; “ Mr. Vattel was not only 
a cook, but perhaps the most celebrated on record, for sentiment 
at least, if not for skill.” 

“ I make no doubt the man did his work well, let him be 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


165 


set about wbafe he might ; and, mademoiselle, he Avas a coun- 
tryman of yours, they tell me ?” 

Assurement^ Monsieur Vattel has left more distinguished 
souvenirs than any other cook in France.” 

Captain Truck turned quickly to the elated and admiring 
Saunders, who felt his own glory enhanced by this important 
discovery, and said in that short-hand way he had of expressing 
himself to the chief of the pantry — 

“ Do you hear that, sir ? see and find out what they are, and 
dress me a dish of these souvenirs as soon as we get in. I dare 
say they are to be had at the Fulton market ; and mind, while 
there, to look out for some tongues and sounds. Fve not made 
half a supper to-night, for the want of them. I dare say these 
souvenirs are capital eating, if Monsieur Vattel thought so 
highly of them. Pray, mademoiselle, is the gentleman dead f ’ 

“ Helas, oui ! How could he live with a sword run through 
his body ?” 

“ Ha ! killed in a duel, I declare ; died fighting for his prin- 
ciples, if the truth were known ! I shall have a double respect 
for his opinion, for this is the touchstone of a man’s honesty. 
Mr. Sharp, let us take a glass of Geissenheimer to his memory ; 
we might honor a less worthy man.” 

As the captain poured out the liquor, a fall of several tons 
of water on the deck shook the entire ship, and one of the 
passengers in the hurricane-house, opening a door to ascertain 
the cause, the sound of the hissing waters and of the roaring 
winds came fresher and more distinct into the cabin. Mr. Truck 
cast an eye at the tell-tale over his head to ascertain the course 
of the ship, and paused just an instant, and then tossed off his 
wine. 

“ This hint reminds me of my mission,” Mr. Sharp rejoined. 
“ The ladies desire to know your opinion of the state of the 
weather ?” 

“ I owe them an answer, if it were only in gratitude for the 
hint about Vattel. Who the devil would have supposed the 


166 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Dian ever was a cook ! But these Frenchmen are not like the 
rest of mankind, and half the nation are cooks, or live by food, 
in some way or other.” 

“And very good cooks, too. Monsieur le Capitaine,” said 
Mademoiselle Viefville. “ Monsieur Vattel did die for the honor 
of his art. He fell on his own sword, because the fish did not 
arrive in season for the dinner of the king.” 

Captain Truck looked more astonished than ever. Then 
turning short round to the steward, he shook his head and ex- 
claimed — 

“ Do you hear that, sir ? How often would you have died, 
if a sword had been run through you every time the fish was 
forgotten, or was too late ? Once, to a dead certainty, about 
these very tongues and sounds.” 

“ But the weather ?” interrupted Mr. Sharp. 

“ The weather, my dear sir ; the weather, my dear ladies, is 
very good weather, with the exception of winds and waves, of 
which, unfortunately, there are just now more of both than we 
want. The ship must scud ; and as we go like a race-horse, 
without stopping to take breath, we may see the Canary Islands 
before the voyage is over. Of danger there is none in this ship, 
as loDg as we can keep clear of the land ; and in order that this 
may be done, I will just step into my stateroom and find out 
exactly where we are.” 

On receiving this information, the passengers retired for the 
night. Captain Truck setting about his task in good earnest. 
The result of his calculations showed that they would run 
westward of Madeira, which was all he cared about immedi- 
ately, intending always to haul up to his course on the first good 
occasion. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


107 


CHAPTER XIII. 

“There are yet two things in my destiny— 

A world to roam o’er, and a home with thee.” 

Byron. 

Eve Effingham slept little: although the motion of the ship 
had been much more severe and uncomfortable while contend- 
ing with head-winds, on no other occasion were there so many 
signs of a fierce contention of the elements as in this gale. As 
she lay in her berth, her ear was within a foot of the roaring 
waters without, and her frame trembled as she heard them 
gurgling so distinctly, that it seemed as if they had already 
forced their way through the seams of the planks, and were 
filling the ship. Sleep she could not, for a long time, there- 
fore, and during two hours she remained with closed eyes an 
entranced and yet startled listener of the fearful strife that was 
raging over the ocean. Night had no stillness, for the roar of 
the winds and waters was incessant, though deadened by the 
intervening decks and sides ; but now and then an open door 
admitted, as it might be, the whole scene into the cabins. At 
such moments every sound was fresh, and frightfully grand, — 
even the shout of the officer coming to the ear like a warning 
cry from the deep. 

At length Eve, wearied by her apprehensions even, fell into 
a troubled sleep, in which her frightened faculties, however, 
kept so much on the alert, that at no time was the roar of the 
tempest entirely lost to her sense of hearing. About midnight 
the glare of a candle crossed her eyes, and she was broad 
awake in an instant. On rising in her berth she found Nanny 


103 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Sidley, who had so often and so long watched over her infant 
and childish slumbers, standing at her side, and gazing wist- 
fully in her face. 

“ ’Tis a dreadful night, Miss Eve,” half whispered the ap- 
palled domestic. “ I have not been able to sleep for thinking 
of you, and of what might happen on these wide waters !” 

“And why of me particularly, my good Nanny ?” returned 
Eve, smiling in the face of her old nurse as sweetly as the in- 
fant smiles in its moments of tenderness and recollection. 
“Why so much of me, my excellent Ann? — are there not 
others too, worthy of your care ? my beloved father — your own 
good self — Mademoiselle Viefville — cousin Jack — and — the 
warm color deepened on the cheek of the beautiful girl, she 
scarcely knew why herself — “ and many others in the vessel, 
that one, kind as you, might think of, I should hope, when your 
thoughts become apprehensions, and your wishes prayers.” 

“ There are many precious souls in the ship, ma’am, out of all 
question ; and I’m sure no one wishes them all safe on land 
again more than myself; but it seems to me, no one among 
them all is so much loved as you.” 

Eve leaned forward playfully, and drawing her old nurse 
towards her, kissed her cheek, while her own eyes glistened, 
and then she laid her flushed cheek on that bosom which had 
so frequently been its pillow before. After remaining a minute 
in this affectionate attitude, she rose and inquired if her nurse 
had been on deck. 

“ I go every half-hour. Miss Eve ; for I feel it as much my 
duty to watch over you here, as when I had you all to myself 
in the cradle. I do not think your father sleeps a great deal 
to-night, and several of the gentlemen in the other cabins re- 
main dressed ; they ask me how you spend the time in this 
tempest, whenever I pass their stateroom doors.” 

Eve’s color deepened, and Ann Sidley thought she had never 
seen her child more beautiful, as the bright luxuriant golden 
hail-, which had strayed from the confinement of the cap, fell 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


169 


on the warm cheek, and rendered eyes that were always full of 
feeling, softer and more brilliant even than common. 

“They conceal their uneasiness for themselves under an 
affected concern for me, my good Nanny,” she said hurriedly; 
“ and your own affection makes you an easy dupe to the arti- 
fice.” 

“ It may he so, ma’am, for I know but little of the ways of 
the world. It is fearful, is it not. Miss Eve, to think that we 
are in a ship, so far from any land, whirling along over the bot- 
tom as fast as a horse could plunge ?” 

“ The danger is not exactly of that nature, perhaps, Nanny.” 

“ There is a bottom to the ocean, is there not ? I have heard 
some maintain there is no bottom to the sea — and that would 
make the danger so much greater. I think, if I felt certain that 
the bottom was not very deep, and there was only a rock to be 
seen now and then, I should not find it so very dreadful.” 

Eve laughed like a child, and the contrast between the sweet 
simplicity of her looks, her manners, and her more cultivated 
intellect, and the matronly appearance of the less instructed 
Ann, made one of those pictures in which the superiority of 
mind over all other things becomes most apparent. 

“Your notions of safety, my dear Nanny,” she said, “ are not 
precisely those of a seaman ; for I believe there is nothing of 
which they stand more in dread than of rocks and the bottom.” 

“ I fear I’m but a poor sailor, ma’am, for iu my judgment we 
could have no greater consolation in such a tempest than to see 
them all around us. Do you think. Miss Eve, that the bottom 
of the ocean, if there is truly a bottom, is whitened with the 
bones of shipwrecked mariners, as people say ?” 

“ I doubt not, my excellent Nanny, that the great deep might 
give up many awful secrets ; but you ought to think less of 
these things, and more of that merciful Providence which has 
protected us through so many dangers since we have been wan- 
derers. You are in much less danger now than I have known 
you to be, and escape unharmed.” 

8 


IVO HOMEWARD BOUND. 

“ I, Miss Eve ! — Do you suppose that I fear for myself ? 
What matters it if a poor old woman like me die a few years 
sooner or later, or where her frail old body is laid ? I have 
never been of so much account when living as to make it of 
consequence where the little which will remain to decay when 
dead moulders into dust. Do not, I implore you, Miss Effing- 
ham, suppose me so selfish as to feel any uneasiness to-night on 
my own account.” 

“Is it then, as usual, all for me, my dear, my worthy old 
nurse, that you feel this anxiety ? Put your heart at ease, for 
they who know best betray no alarm ; and you may observe 
that the captain sleeps as tranquilly this night as on any other.” 

“ But he is a rude man, and accustomed to danger. He has 
neither wife noy children, and I’ll engage has never given a 
thought to the horrors of having a form precious as this float- 
ing in the caverns of the ocean, amidst ravenous fish and sea- 
monsters.” ♦ 

Here her imagination overcame poor Nanny Sidley, and she 
folded her arms about the beautiful person of Eve, and sobbed 
violently. Her young mistress, accustomed to similar exhibi- 
tions of affection, soothed her with blandishments and assur- 
ances that soon restored her self-command, when the dialogue 
was resumed with a greater appearance of tranquillity on the 
part of the nurse. They conversed a few minutes on the sub- 
ject of their reliance on God, Eve returning fourfold, or with 
the advantages of a cultivated intellect, many of those simple 
lessons of faith and humility that she had received from her 
companion when a child ; the latter listening, as she always did, 
to these exhortations, which sounded in her ears, like the 
echoes of all her own better thoughts, with a love and reverence 
no other could awaken. Eve passed her small white hand over 
the wrinkled cheek of Nanny in kind fondling, as it had been 
passed a thousand times when a child, an act she well knew 
her nurse delighted in, and continued — 

“ And now, my good old Nanny, you will set your heart at 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


lYl 


ease, I know ; for though a little too apt to trouble yourself 
about one who does not deserve half your care, you are much 
too sensible and too humble to feel distrust out of reason. We 
will talk of something else a few minutes, and then you will 
lie down and rest your weary body.” 

Weary ! I should never feel weary in watching, when I 
thought there was a cause for it.” 

Although Nanny made no allusion to herself. Eve understood 
in whose behalf this watchfulness was meant. She drew the 
face of the old woman towards her, and left a kiss on each 
cheek ere she continued — 

“ These ships have other things to talk about, besides their 
dangers,” she said. “ Do you not find it odd, at least, that a 
vessel of war should be sent to follow us about the ocean in 
this extraordinary way ?” 

“ Quite so, ma’am, and I did intend to speak to you about it, 
some time when I saw you had nothing better to think of. At 
first I fancied, but I believe it was a silly thought, that some of 
the great English lords and admirals that used to be so much 
about us at Paris, and Rome, and Vienna, had sent this ship to 
see you safe to America, Miss Eve ; for I never supposed they 
would make so much fuss concerning a poor runaway couple, 
like these steerage passengers.” 

Eve did not refrain from laughing again, at this conceit of 
Nanny’s, for her temperament was gay as childhood, though 
well restrained by cultivation and manner, and once more she 
patted the cheek of her nurse kindly. 

“ Those great lords and admirals are not great enough for 
that, dear Nanny, even had they the inclination to do so silly a 
thing. But has no other reason suggested itself to you, among 
the many curious circumstances you may have had occasion to 
observe in the ship ?” 

Nanny looked at Eve, and turned her eyes aside, glanced 
furtively at the young lady again, and at last felt compelled to 
answer. 


1V2 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“I endeavor, ma’am, to think well of everybody, though 
strange thoughts will sometimes arise without our wishing it. I 
suppose I know to what you allude ; but I don’t feel quite cer- 
tain it becomes me to speak.” 

“With me at least, Nanny, you need have no reserves, and I 
confess a desire to learn if we have thought alike about some 
of our fellow-passengers. Speak freely, then ; for you can have 
no more apprehension in communicating all your thoughts jto 
me, than in communicating them to your own child.” 

“Not as much, ma’am, not half as much ; for you are both 
child and mistress to me, and I look quite as much to receiving 
advice as to give it. It is odd. Miss Eve, that gentlemen should 
not pass under their proper names, and I have had unpleasant 
feelings about it, though I did not think it became me to be the 
first to speak, while your father was with you, and mamerzelle,” 
for so Nanny always styled the governess, “and Mr. John, all 
of whom love you almost as much as I do, and all of whom are 
so much better judges of what is right. But now you encour- 
age me to speak my mind. Miss Eve, I will say I should like 
that no one came near you who does not carry his heart in his 
open hand, that the youngest child might know his character 
and understand his motives.” 

Eve smiled as her nurse grew warm, but she blushed in spite 
of an effort to seem indifferent. 

“This would be truly a vain wish, dear Nanny, in the mixed 
company of a ship,” she said. “ It is too much to expect that 
strangers will throw aside all their reserves, on first finding 
themselves in close communion. The well-bred and prudent 
will only stand more on their guard under such circum- 
stances.” 

“ Strangers, ma’am !” 

“ I perceive that you recollect the face of one of our ship- 
mates. Why do you shake your head ?” The tell-tale blood 
of Eve again mantled over her lovely countenance. “ I 
suppose I ought to have said two of our shipmates, though I 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


1Y3 


had doubted whether you retained any recollection of one of 
them.” 

“No gentleman ever speaks to you twice, Miss Eve, that I do 
not remember him.” 

“Thank you, dearest Nanny, for this and a thousand other 
proofs of your never-ceasing interest in my welfare ; but I had 
not believed you so vigilant as to take heed of every face that 
happens to approach me.” 

“ Ah, Miss Eve ! neither of these gentlemen would like to be 
mentioned by you in this careless manner, I’m sure. They 
both did a great deal more than ‘ happen to approach you for 
as to — 

“ Hist ! dear Nanny ; we are in a crowded place, and you 
may be overheard. You will use no names, therefore, as I be- 
lieve we understand each other without going into all these 
particulars. Now, my dear nurse, would I give something to 
know which of these young men has made the most favorable 
impression on your upright and conscientious mind !” 

“ Nay, Miss Eve, what is my judgment in comparison with 
your own, and that of Mr. John Effingham, and — 

“ My cousin Jack ! In the name of wonder, Nanny, what 
has he to do with the matter ?” 

“ Nothing, ma’am ; only I can see he has his favorites as well 
as another, and I’ll venture to say Mr. Dodge is not the greatest 
he has in this ship.” 

“ I think you might add Sir George Templemore, too,” re- 
turned Eve, laughing. 

Ann Sidley looked hard at her young mistress, and smiled 
before she answered; and then she continued the discourse 
naturally, as if there had been no interruption. 

“ Quite likely, ma’am ; and Mr. Monday, and all the rest of 
that set. But you see how soon he discovers a real gentleman ; 
for he is quite easy and friendly with Mr. Sharp and Mr. Blunt, 
particularly the last.” 


174 


homeward bound. 


Eve was silent, for she did not like the open introduction of 
these names, though she scarce knew why herself. 

“ My cousin is a man of the world,” she resumed, on per- 
ceiving that Nanny watched her countenance with solicitude, 
as if fearful of having gone too far ; “ and there is nothing sur- 
prising in his discovering men of his own class. We know both 
these persons to he not exactly what they seem, though I think 
we know no harm of either, unless it be the silly change of 
names. It would have been better had they come on board, 
bearing their proper appellations ; to us, at least, it would have 
been more respectful, though both affirm, they were ignorant 
that my father had taken passage in the Montauk, — a circum- 
stance that may very well be true, as you know we got the 
cabin that was first engaged by another party.” 

“ I should be sorry, ma’am, if either failed in respect.” 

“ It is not quite adulatory to make a young woman the in- 
voluntary keeper of the secrets of two unreflecting young men ; 
that is all, my good Nanny. We cannot well betray them, and 
we are consequently their confldants par force. The most 
amusing part of the thing is, that they are masters of each 
other’s secrets, in part at least, and feel a delightful awkward- 
ness in a hundred instances. For my own part I pity neither, 
but think each is fairly enough punished. They will be fortu- 
nate if their servants do not betray them before we reach New 
York.” 

“No fear of that, ma’am, for they are discreet, cautious men, 
and if disposed to blab, Mr. Dodge has given both good oppor- 
tunities already, as I believe he has put to them as many ques- 
tions as there are speeches in the catechism.” 

“ Mr. Dodge is a vulgar man.” 

“ So we all say, ma’am, in the servants’ cabin, and every- 
body is so set against him there, that there is little chance of 
his learning much. I hope. Miss Eve, mamerzelle does not dis- 
trust either of the gentlemen ?” 

“Surely you cannot suspect Mademoiselle Viefville of indis- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


175 


cretion, Nanny ; a better spirit, or a better tone than here, does 
not exist.” 

“ No, ma’am, ’t is not that : but I should like to have one 
more secret with you, all to myself. I honor and respect mamer- 
zelle, who has done a thousand times more for you than a poor 
ignorant woman like me could have done, with all my zeal ; but 
I do believe. Miss Eve, I love your shoe-tie better than she loves 
your pure and beautiful spirit.” 

“ Mademoiselle Yiefville is an excellent woman, and I believe 
is sincerely attached to me.” 

“ She would be a wretch else. I do not deny her attach- 
ment, but I only say it is nothing, it ought to be nothing, it 
can be nothing, it shall be nothing, compared to that of the 
one who first held you in her arms, and who has always held 
you in her heart. Mamerzelle can sleep such a night as this, 
which I’m sure she could not do were she as much concerned 
for you as I am.” 

Eve knew that jealousy of Mademoiselle Viefville was Nanny’s 
greatest weakness, and drawing the old woman to her, she en- 
twined her arms around her neck and complained of drowsiness. 
Accustomed to watching, and really unable to sleep, the nurse 
now passed a perfectly happy hour in holding her child, who 
literally dropped asleep on her bosom ; after which Nanny slid 
into the berth beneath, in her clothes, and finally lost the sense 
of her apprehensions in perturbed slumbers. 

A cry on deck awoke all in the cabins early on the succeed- 
ing morning. It was scarcely light, but a common excitement 
seized every passenger, and ten minutes had not elapsed when 
Eve and her governess appeared in the hurricane-house, the 
last of those who came from below. Few questions had been 
asked, but all hurried on deck with their apprehensions awakened 
by the gale, increased to the sense of some positive and im- 
pending danger. 

Nothing, however, was immediately apparent to justify all 
this sudden clamor. The gale continued, if any thing, with 


176 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


increased power; the ocean was rolling over its cataracts of 
combing seas, with which the ship was still racing, driven un- 
der the strain of a reefed forecourse, the only canvas that was 
set. Even with this little sail the hull was glancing through 
the raging seas, or rather in their company, at a rate a little 
short of ten miles in the hour. 

Captain Truck was in the mizzen-rigging, bareheaded, every 
lock of hair he had blowing out like a pennant. Occasionally 
he signed to the man at the wheel which way to put the helm ; 
for instead of sleeping, as many had supposed, he had been 
conning the ship for hours in the same situation. As Eve ap- 
peared, he was directing the attention of several of the gentle- 
men to some object astern, but a very few moments put all on 
deck in possession of the facts. 

About a cable’s length, on one of the quarters of the Mon- 
tauk, was a ship careering before the gale like themselves, 
though carrying more canvas, and consequently driving faster 
through the water. The sudden appearance of this vessel in 
the sombre light of the morning, when objects were seen dis- 
tinctly, but without the glare of day ; the dark hull, relieved by 
a single narrow line of white paint, dotted with ports; the 
glossy hammock-cloths, and all those other coverings of dark, 
glistening canvas which give to a cruiser an air of finish and 
comfort, like that of a travelling carriage ; the symmetry of the 
spars, and the gracefulness of all the lines, whether of the hull 
or hamper, told all who knew any thing of such subjects, that 
the stranger was a vessel of war. To this information Captain 
Truck added that it was their old pursuer, the Foam. 

“ She is corvette-built,” said the master of the Montauk, “ and 
is obliged to carry more canvas than we, in order to keep out 
of the way of the seas ; for, if one of these big fellows should 
overtake her, and throw its crest into her waist, she would be- 
come like a man who has taken too much Saturday night, and 
with whom a second dose might settle the purser’s books for- 
ever.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


177 


. Such in fact was the history of the sudden appearance of 
this ship. She had lain-to as long as possible, and on being 
driven to scud, carried a close-reefed maintop-sail, a show of 
canvas that urged her through the water about two knots to 
the hour faster than the rate of the packet. Necessarily follow- 
ing the same course, she overtook the latter just as the day 
began to dawn. The cry had arisen on her sudden discovery, 
and the moment had now arrived when she was about to come 
up, quite abreast of her late chase. The passage of the Foam, 
under such circumstances, was a grand but thrilling thing. 
Her captain, too, was seen in the mizzen-rigging of his ship, 
rocked by the gigantic billows over which the fabric was ca- 
reering. He held a speaking-trumpet in his hand, as if still 
bent on his duty, in the midst of that awful warring of the 
elements. Captain Truck called for a trumpet in his turn, and, 
fearful of consequences, he waved it to the other to keep more 
aloof. The injunction was either misunderstood, the man-of- 
war’s man was too much bent on his object, or the ocean was 
too uncontrollable for such a purpose, the corvette driving up 
on a sea quite abeam of the packet, and in fearful proximity. 
The Englishman applied the trumpet, and words were heard 
amid the roaring of the winds. At that time the white field of 
old Albion, with the St. George’s cross, rose over the bulwarks, 
and by the time it had reached the gaff-end, the bunting was 
whipping in ribbons. 

“ Show ’em the gridiron !” growled Captain Truck through 
his trumpet, “ with its mouth turned in-board.” 

As every thing was ready, this order was instantly obeyed, 
and the stripes of America were soon seen fluttering nearly in 
separate pieces. The two ships now ran a short distance in 
parallel lines, rolling from each other so heavily that the bright 
copper of the corvette was seen nearly to her keel. The Eng- 
lishman, who seemed a portion of his ship, again tried his 
trumpet ; the detached words of “ lie-by,” — “ orders,” — “ com- 
municate,” were caught by one or two, but the howling of the 

8 ^ 


178 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


gale rendered all connection in the meaning impossible. The 
Englishman ceased his efforts to make himself heard, for the 
two ships were now rolling-to, and it appeared as if their spars 
would interlock. There was an instant when Mr. Leach had 
his hand on the main-brace to let it go ; but the Foam started 
away on a sea, like a horse that feels the spur, and disobeying 
her helm, shot forward, as if about to cross the Montauk’s fore- 
foot. 

A breathless instant followed, for all on board the two ships 
thought they must now inevitably come foul of each other, and 
this the more so, because the Montauk took the impulse of the 
sea just as it was lost to the Foam, and seemed on the point of 
plunging directly into the stern of the latter. Even the seamen 
clenched the ropes around them convulsively, and the boldest 
held their breaths for a time. The “ p-o-r-t, hard a port, and 

be d d to you !” of Captain Truck, and the “ S-t-a-r-b-o-a-r-d, 

starboard hard !” of the Englishman, were both distinctly audi- 
ble to all in the two ships ; fDr this was a moment in which 
seamen can speak louder than the tempest. The affrighted 
vessels seemed to recede together, and they shot asunder in 
diverging lines, the Foam leading. All further attempts at a 
communication were instantly useless ; the corvette being half a 
mile ahead in a quarter of an hour, rolling her yard-arms nearly 
to the water. 

Captain Truck said little to his passengers concerning this 
adventure ; but when he had lighted a cigar, and was discuss- 
ing the matter with his chief mate, he told the latter there was 
“just one minute when he would not have given a ship’s bis- 
cuit for both vessels, nor much more for their cargoes. A man 
must have a small regard for human souls, when he puts them, 
and their bodies too, in so much jeopardy for a little tobacco.” 

Throughout the day it blew furiously, for the ship was running 
into the gale, a phenomenon that we shall explain, as most of our 
readers may not comprehend it. All gales of wind commence 
to leeward ; or, in other words, the wind is first felt at some 


HOMEWARl) BOUND. 


179 


particular point, and later, as we recede from that point, pro- 
ceeding in the direction from which the wind blows. It is 
always severest near the point where it commences, appearing 
to diminish in violence as it recedes. This, therefore, is an ad- 
ditional motive for mariners to lie-to, instead of scudding, since 
the latter not only carries them far from their true course, but 
it carries them also nearer to the scene of the greatest fury of 
the elements. 


180 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

“ Good boatswain, have care.” 

Tempest. 

At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed topsail of the 
corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, 
and that ship was seen no longer. Several islands had been 
passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tem- 
pest ; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them. 
The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before 
it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she 
kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny 
Sidley had so much pined. 

Familiarity with the scene began to lessen the apprehensions 
of the passengers, and as scudding is an easy process for those 
who are liable to sea-sickness, ere another night shut in, the 
principal concern was connected with the course the ship was 
compelled to steer. The wind had so far hauled to the west- 
ward as to render it certain that the coast of Africa would lie 
in their way, if obliged to scud many hours longer ; for Cap- 
tain Truck’s observations actually placed him to the southward 
and eastward of the Canary Islands. This was a long distance 
out of his course, but the rate of sailing rendered the fact suffi- 
ciently clear. 

This, too, was the precise time when the Montauk felt the 
weight of the tempest, or rather, when she experienced the 
heaviest portion of that which it was her fate to feel. Lucky 
was it for the good ship that she had not been in this latitude 
a few hours earlier, when it had blown something very like a 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 181 

hurricane. The responsibility and danger of his situation now 
began seriously to disturb Captain Ti-uck, although he kept his 
apprehensions to himself, like a prudent officer. All his calcu- 
lations were gone over again with the utmost care, the rate of 
sailing was cautiously estimated, and the result showed that ten 
or fifteen hours more would inevitably produce shipwreck of 
another sort, unless the wind moderated. 

Fortunately, the gale began to break about midnight. The 
wind still blew tremendously, but it was less steadily, and there 
were intervals of half-an-hour at a time when the ship might 
have carried much more canvas, even on a bow-line : of course 
her speed abated in proportion, and, after the day had dawned, 
a long and anxious survey from aloft showed no land to the 
eastward. When perfectly assured of this important fact, Cap- 
tain Truck rubbed his hands with delight, ordered a coal for 
his cigar, and began to abuse Saunders about the quality of the 
coffee during the blow. 

“ Let there be something creditable this morning, sir,” added 
the captain, after a sharp rebuke ; “ and remember, we are down 
here in the neighborhood of the country of your forefathers, 
where a man ought, in reason, to be on his good behavior. If 
I hear any more of your washy compounds. I’ll put you ashore, 
and let you run naked a summer or two with the monkeys and 
orang-outangs.” 

“ I endeavor, on all proper occasions, to render myself agree- 
able to you. Captain Truck, and to all those with whom I have 
the happiness to sail,” returned the steward ; “ but the coffee, 
sir, cannot be very good, sir, in such weather, sir. I do diwine 
that the wind must blow away its flavor, for I am ready to con- 
fess it has not been as odorous as it usually is, when I have had 
the honor to prepare it. As for Africa, sir, I flatter myself, 
Captain Truck, that you esteem me too highly to believe I am 
suited to consort or resort with the ill-formed and inedicated 
men who inhabit that wild country. I misremember whether 
my ancestors came from this part of the world or not ; but if 


182 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


they did, sir, my habits and profession entirely unqualify me 
for their company, I hope. I know I am only a poor steward, 
sir, but you ’ll please to recollect that your great Mr. Vattel was 
nothing but a cook.” 

“ D — n the fellow, Leach ; I believe it is this conceit that has 
spoiled the coffee the last day or two ! Do you suppose it can 
be true that a great writer like this man could really be no 
better than a cook, or was that Englishman roasting me, by 
way of showing how cooking was done ashore ? If it were not 
for the testimony of the ladies, I might believe it ; but they 
would not share in such an indecent trick. What are you ly- 
ing-by for, sir ? go to your pantry, and remember that the gale 
is broken, and we shall all sit down to table this morning, as 
keen-set as a party of your brethren ashore here, who had a 
broiled baby for breakfast.” 

Saunders, who ex-officio might be said to be trained in simi- 
lar lectures, went pouting to his work, taking care to expend a 
proper part of his spleen on Mr. Toast, who, quite as a matter 
of course, suffered in proportion as his superior was made to 
feel, in his own person, the weight of Captain Truck’s authority. 
It is perhaps fortunate that nature points out this easy and self- 
evident mode of relief, else would the rude habits of a ship some- 
times render the relations between him who orders and him 
whose duty it is to obey, too nearly approaching to the intol-" 
erable. 

The captain’s squalls, however, were of short duration, and 
on the present occasion he was soon in even a better humor 
than common, as every minute gave the cheering assurance 
that the tempest was fast coming to a close. He had finished 
his third cigar, and was actually issuing his orders to turn the 
reef out of the foresail, and to set the maintop-sail close reefed, 
when most of the passengers appeared on deck, for the first 
time that morning. 

“ Here we are, gentlemen !” cried Captain Truck, in the way 
of salutation, “ nearer to Guinea than I could wish, with every 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


183 


prospect now of soon working our way across the Atlantic, 
and possibly of making a thirty or thirty-five days’ passage of 
it yet. We have this sea to quiet ; and then I hope to show 
you what the Montauk has in her, besides her passengers and 
cargo. I think we have now got rid of the Foam, as well as of 
the gale. I did believe, at one time, her people might be walk- 
ing and wading on the coast of Cornwall ; but I now believe 
they are more likely to try the sands of the great Desert of Sa- 
hara.” 

“ It is to be hoped they have escaped the latter calamity, as 
fortunately as they escaped the first,” observed Mr. Effingham. 

“ It may be so ; but the wind has got round to nor’west, and 
has not been sighing these last twelve hours. Cape Blanco is 
not a hundred leagues from us, and, at the rate he was travel- 
ling, that gentleman with the speaking-trumpet may now be 
philosophizing over the fragments of his ship, unless he had 
the good sense to haul off more to the westward than he was 
steering when last seen. His ship should have been christened 
the ‘ Scud,’ instead of the ‘ Foam.’ ” 

Every one expressed the hope that the ship, to which their 
own situation was fairly enough to be ascribed, might escape 
this calamity ; and all faces regained their cheerfulness as they 
saw the canvas fall, in sign that their own danger was past. 
So rapidly, indeed, did the gale now abate, that the topsails 
were hardly hoisted before the order was given to shake out 
another reef, and within an hour all the heavier canvas that 
was proper to carry before the wind was set, solely with a view 
to keep the ship steady. The sea was still fearful, and Captain 
Truck, found himself obliged to keep off from his course, in 
order to avoid the danger of having his decks swept. 

The racing with the crest of the waves, however, was quite 
done, for the seas soon cease to comb and break, after the force 
of the wind is expended. 

At no time is the motion of the vessel more unpleasant, or, 
indeed, more dangerous, than in the interval that occurs be- 


184 


homeward bound. 


tween the ceasing of a violent gale, and the springing up of a 
new wind. The ship is unmanageable, and falling into the 
troughs • of the sea, the waves break in upon her decks, often 
doing serious injury, while the spars and rigging are put to the 
severest trial by the sudden and violent surges which they have 
to withstand. Of all this Captain Truck was fully aware, and 
when he was summoned to breakfast he gave many cautions 
to Mr. Leach before quitting the deck. 

“ I do not like the new shrouds we got up in London,” he 
said, “ for the rope has stretched in this gale in a way to throw 
too much strain on the old rigging ; so see all ready for taking 
a fresh drag on them, as soon as the people have breakfasted. 
Mind and keep her out of the trough, sir, and watch every 
roller that you find comes tumbling upon us.” 

After repeating these injunctions in different ways, looking 
to windward some time, and aloft five or six minutes. Captain 
Truck finally went below, to pass judgment on Mr. Saunders’ 
coffee. Once in his throne, at the head of the long table, the 
worthy master, after a proper attention to his passengers, set 
about the duty of restoration, as the steward affectedly called 
eating, with a zeal that never failed him on such occasions. He 
had just swallowed a cup of the coffee, about which he had 
lectured Saunders, when a heavy flap of the sails announced 
the sudden failure of the wind. 

“ That is bad news,” said Captain Truck, listening to the flut- 
tering blows of the canvas, against the masts. “ I never like to 
hear a ship shaking its wings while there is a heavy sea on ; 
but this is better than the Desert of Sahara, and so, my dear 
young lady, let me recommend to you a cup of this coffee, 
which is flavored this morning by a dread of orang-outangs, as 
Mr. Saunders will have the honor to inform you — ” 

A jerk of the whole ship was followed by a report like that 
made by a musket. Captain Truck rose, and stood leaning on 
one hand in a bent attitude, expectation and distrust intensely 
portrayed in every feature. Another helpless roll of the ship 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


185 


succeeded, and three or four similar reports were immediately 
heard, as if large ropes had parted in quick succession. A 
rending of wood followed, and then came a chaotic crash in 
which the impending heavens seemed to fall on the devoted 
ship. Most of the passengers shut their eyes, and when they 
were opened again, or a moment afterwards, Mr. Truck had 
vanished. 

It is scarcely necessary to describe the confusion that fol- 
lowed. Eve was frightened, but she behaved well, though 
Mademoiselle Viefville trembled so much as to require the as- 
sistance of Mr. Effingham. 

“We have lost our masts,” John Effingham coolly remarked ; 
“an accident that will not be likely to be very dangerous, 
though by prolonging the passage a month or two, it may have 
the merit of making this good company more intimately ac- 
quainted with each other, a pleasure for which we cannot 
express too much gratitude.” 

Eve implored his forbearance by a glance, for she saw his 
eye was unconsciously directed towards Mr. Monday and Mr. 
Dodge, for both of whom she knew her kinsman entertained an 
incurable dislike. His words, however, explained the catastro- 
phe, and most of the men hastened on deck to assure them- 
selves of the fact. 

John Effingham was right. The new rigging which had 
stretched so much during the gale, had permitted too much of 
the strain, in the tremendous rolls of the ship, to fall upon the 
other ropes. The shroud most exposed had parted first ; three or 
four more followed in succession, and before there was time to se- 
cure any thing, the remainder had gone together, and the main- 
mast had broken at a place where a defect was now seen in its 
heart. Falling over the side, the latter had brought down with 
it the mizzen-mast and all its hamper, and as much of the fore- 
mast as stood above the top. In short, of all the complicated 
tracery of ropes, the proud display of spars, and the broad 
folds of canvas that had so lately overshadowed the deck of the 


186 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Montauk, the mutilated foremast, the foreyard and sail, and the 
fallen head-gear alone remained. All the rest either cumbered 
the deck, or was beating against the side of the ship, in the 
water. 

The hard, red, weather-beaten face of Captain Truck was ex- 
pressive of mortification and concern, for a single instant, when 
his eye glanced over the ruin we have just described. His mind 
then seemed made up to the calamity, and he ordered Toast to 
bring him a coal of fire, with which he quietly lighted a cigar. 

“ Here is a category, and be d — d to it, Mr. Leach,” he said, 
after taking a single whiff. “ You are doing quite right, sir ; 
cut away the wreck and force the ship free of it, or we shall 
have some of those sticks poking themselves through the 
planks. I always thought the chandler in London, into whose 

hands the agent has fallen, was a rogue, and now I know 

it well enough to swear to it. Cut away, carpenter, and get us 
rid of all this thumping as soon as possible. A very capital 
vessel, Mr. Monday, or she would have rolled the pumps out 
of her, and capsized the galley.” 

No attempt being made to save any thing, the wreck was 
floating astern in five minutes, and the ship was fortunately ex- 
tricated from this new hazard. Mr. Truck, in spite of his 
acquired coolness, looked piteously at all that gallant hamper, 
in which he had so lately rejoiced, as yard-arm, cross-trees, 
tressel-trees, and tops rose on the summits of swells or settled 
in the troughs, like whales playing their gambols. But habit 
is a seaman’s philosophy, and in no one feature is his character 
more respectable than in that manliness which disinclines him 
to mourn over a misfortune that is inevitable. 

The Montauk now resembled a tree stripped of its branches, 
or a courser crippled in his sinews ; her glory had, in a great 
degree, departed. The foremast alone remained, and of this 
even the head was gone, a circumstance of which Captain Truck 
complained more than of any other, as, to use his own expres- 
sions, “it destroyed the symmetry of the spar, which had 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


187 


proved itself to be a good stick.” What, however, was of more 
real importance, it rendered it difficult, if not impossible, to get 
up a spare topmast forward. As both the main and mizzen- 
mast had gone quite near the deck, this was almost the only 
tolerably easy expedient that remained ; and, within an hour of 
the accident, Mr. Truck announced his intentions to stand as 
far south as he could to strike the trades, and then to make a 
fair^ wind of it across the Atlantic, unless, indeed, he might 
be able to fetch into the Cape de Verde Islands, where it 
would be possible, perhaps, to get something like a new 
outfit. 

“ All I now ask, my dear young lady,” he said to Eve, who 
ventured on deck to look at the desolation, as soon as the wreck 
was cut adrift, “ all I now ask, my dear young lady, is an end 
to westerly winds for two or three weeks, and I will promise to 
place you all in America yet, in time to eat your Christmas din- 
■ ner. I do not think Sir George will shoot many white bears 
among the Rocky Mountains this year, but then there will be 
so many more left for another season. The ship is in a cate- 
gory, and he will be an impudent scoundrel who denies it ; but 
worse categories than this have been reasoned out of counte- 
nance. All head-sail is not a convenient show of cloth to claw 
off a lee-shore with ; but I still hope to escape the misfortune of 
laying eyes on the coast of Africa.” 

“ Are we far from it ?” asked Eve, who sufficiently understood 
the danger of being on an uninhabitable shore in their present 
situation ; one in which it was vain to seek for a port. “ I 
would rather be in the neighborhood of any other land, I think, 
than that of Africa.” 

“ Especially Africa between the Canaries and Cape Blanco,” 
returned Captain Truck, with an expressive shrug. “ More hos- 
pitable regions exist, certainly ; for, if accounts are to be credit- 
ed, the honest people alongshore never get a Christian that 
they do not mount him on a camel, and trot him through the 
sands a thousand miles or so, under a hot sun, with a sort of 


188 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


haggis for food, that would go nigh to take away even a Scotch- 
man’s appetite.” 

“ And you do not tell us how far we are from this frightful 
land, Mons. le Capitaine ?” inquired Mademoiselle Viefville. 

“ In ten minutes you shall know, ladies, for I am about to 
observe for the longitude. It is a little late, but it may yet be 
done.” 

“And we may rely on the fidelity of your information?”^ 

“ On the honor of a sailor and a man.” 

The ladies were silent, while Mr. Truck proceeded to get the 
sun and the time. As soon as he had run through his calcula- 
tions, he came to them with a face in which the eye was roving, 
though it was still good-humored and smiling. 

“ And the result ?” said Eve. 

“ Is not quite as flattering as I could wish. We are mate- 
rially within a degree of the coast ; but, as the wind is gone, or 
nearly so, we may hope to find a shift that will shove us far- 
ther from the land. And now I have dealt frankly with you, 
let me beg you will keep the secret, for my people will be 
dreaming of Turks, instead of working, if they know the 
fact.” 

It required no great observation to discover that Captain 
Truck was far from satisfied with the position of his ship. 
Without any after-sail, and almost without the means of mak- 
ing any, it was idle to think of hauling off from the land, more 
especially against the heavy sea that Avas still rolling in from the 
northwest ; and his present object was to make the Cape de 
Verdes, before reaching which he would be certain to meet the 
trades, and where, of course, there would be some chance of 
repairing damages. His apprehensions would have been much 
less were the ship a degree further west, as the prevailing winds 
in this part of the ocean are from the northward and eastward ; 
but it was no easy matter to force a ship that distance under a 
foresail, the only regular sail that now remained in its place. It 
is true, he had some of the usual expedients of seamen at his 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


189 


command, and the people were immediately set about them ; 
but, in consequence of the principal spars having gone so near 
the decks, it became exceedingly dijfficult to rig jury-masts. 

Something must be attempted, however, and the spare spars 
were got out, and all the necessary preparations were com- 
menced, in order that they might be put into their places and 
rigged, as well as circumstances would allow. As soon as the 
sea went down, and the steadiness of the ship would permit, 
Mr. Leach succeeded in getting up an awkward lower studding- 
sail, and a sort of staysail forward, and with these additions to 
their canvas, the ship was brought to head south, with the wind 
light at the westward. The sea was greatly diminished about 
noon ; but a mile an hour, for those who had so long a road 
before them, and who were so near a coast that was known to 
be fearfully inhospitable, was a cheerless progress, and the cry 
of “ Sail, ho !” early in the afternoon, diffused a general joy in 
the Montauk. 

The stranger was made to the southward and eastward, and 
was standing on a course that must bring her quite near to 
their own track, as the Montauk then headed. The wind was 
so light, however, that Captain Truck gave it as his opinion they 
could not speak until night had set in. 

“Unless the coast has brought him up, yonder flaunting 
gentleman, who seems to have had better luck with his light 
canvas than ourselves, must be the Foam,” he said. “ Tobacco, 
or no tobacco, bride or bridegroom, the fellow has us at last, 
and all the consolation that is left is, that we shall be much 
obliged to him, now, if he will carry us to Portsmouth, or into any 
other Christian haven. We have shown him what a kettle- 
bottom can do before the wind, and now let him give us a tow 
to windward like a generous antagonist. That is what I call 
Yattel, my dear young lady.” 

“ If he do this, he will indeed prove himself a generous ad- 
versary,” said Eve, “ and we shall be certain to speak well of 
his humanity, whatever we may think of his obstinacy.” 


190 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Are you quite sure the ship in sight is the corvette ?” asked 
Paul Blunt. 

“ Who else can it be ? — Two vessels are quite sufficient to be 
jammed down here on the coast of Africa, and we know that 
the Englishman must be somewhere to leeward of us ; though, 
I will confess, I had believed him much farther, if not plump 
up among the Mohammedans, beginning to reduce to a feather- 
weight, like Captain Riley, who came out with just his skin 
and bones, after a journey across the desert.” 

“ I do not think those topgallant-sails have the symmetry of 
the canvas of a ship-of-war.” 

Captain Truck looked steadily at the young man an instant, 
as one regards a sound criticism, and then he turned his eye 
towards the object of which they were speaking. 

“You are right, sir,” he rejoined, after a moment of examin- 
ation ; “ and I have had a lesson in my own trade from one 
young enough to be my son. The stranger is clearly no cruiser, 
and as there is no port in-shore of us anywhere near this lati- 
tude, he is probably some trader who has been driven down 
here, like ourselves.” 

“And I’m very sure, captain,” put in Sir George Temple- 
more, “ we ought to rejoice sincerely that, like ourselves, he has 
escaped shipwreck. For my part, I pity the poor wretches on 
board the Foam most sincerely, and could almost wish myself a 
Catholic, that one might yet offer up sacrifices in their be- 
half.” 

“You have shown yourself a Christian throughout all that 
affair. Sir George, and I shall not forget your handsome offers 
to befriend the ship, rather than let us fall into the jaws of the 
Philistines. We were in a category more than once, with that 
nimble-footed racer in our wake, and you were the man. Sir 
George, who manifested the most hearty desire to get us out.” 

“ I ever feel an interest in the ship in which I embark,” re- 
turned the gratified baronet, who was not displeased at hearing 
his liberality so openly commended ; “ and I would cheerfully 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


191 


have given a thousand pounds in preference to being taken. I 
rather think, now, that is the true spirit for a sportsman !” 

“ Or for an admiral, my good sir. To be frank with you. 
Sir George, when I first had the honor of your acquaintance, 
I did not think you had so much in you. There was a sort of 
English attention to small wares, a species of knee-buckleism 
about your debutt, as Mr. Dodge calls it, that made me distrust 
your being the whole-souled and one-idea’d man I find you 
really are.” 

“ Oh ! I do like my comforts,” said Sir George, laughing. 

“ That you do, and I am only surprised you don’t smoke. 
Now, Mr. Dodge, your room-mate, there, tells me you have six- 
and-thirty pair of breeches !” 

“ I have — yes, indeed, I have. One would wish to go abroad 
decently clad.” 

“ Well ! if it should be our luck to travel in the deserts, your 
wardrobe would rig out a whole harem.” 

“ I wish, captain, you would do me the favor to step into our 
stateroom, some morning ; I have many curious things I should 
like to show you. A set of razors, in particular, — and a dress- 
ing-case — and a pair of patent pistols— and that life-preserver 
that you admire so much, Mr. Dodge. Mr. Dodge has seen 
most of my curiosities, I believe, and will tell you some of them 
are really worth a moment’s examination.” 

“Yes, captain, I must say,” observed Mr. Dodge, — for this 
conversation was held apart between the three, the mate keep- 
ing an eye the while on the duty of the ship, for habit had given 
Mr. Truck the faculty of driving his people while he entertained 
his passengers — “Yes, captain, I must say I have met no gen- 
tleman who is better supplied with necessaries, than my friend. 
Sir George. But English gentlemen are curious in such things, 
and I admit that I admire their ingenuity.” 

Particularly in breeches, Mr, Dodge. Have you coats to 
match. Sir George ?” 

“ Certainly, sir. One would be a little absurd in his shirt 


192 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


sleeves. I wish, captain, we could make Mr. Dodge a little less 
of a republican. I find him a most agreeable room-mate, but 
rather annoying on the subject of kings and princes.” 

“You stick up for the people, Mr. Dodge, or to the old cate- 
gory?” 

“ On that subject, Sir George and I shall never agree, for he 
is obstinately monarchical ; but I tell him we shall treat him 
none the worse for that, when he gets among us. He has pro- 
mised me a visit in our part of the country, and I have pledged 
myself to his being unqualifiedly well received ; and I think I 
know the whole meaning of a pledge.” 

“ I understand Mr. Dodge,” pursued the baronet, “ that he is 
the editor of a public journal, in which he entertains his readers 
with an account of his adventures and observations during his 
travels. ‘ The Active Inquirer,’ is it not, Mr. Dodge ?” 

“ That is the name. Sir George. ‘ The Active Inquirer’ is the 
present name, though when we supported Mr. Adams it was 
called ‘ The Active Enquirer,’ with an E.” 

“ A distinction without a difierence ; I like that,” interrupted 
Captain Truck. “This is the second time I have had the 
honor to sail with Mr. Dodge, and a more active inquirer never 
put foot in a ship, though I did not know the use he put 
his information to before. It is all in the way of trade, I 
find.” 

“ Mr. Dodge claims to belong to a profession, captain, and is 
quite above trade. He tells me many things have occurred on 
board this ship, since we sailed, that will make very eligible 
paragraphs.” 

“ The d he does ! — I should like particularly well, Mr. 

Dodge, to know what you will find to say concerning this cate- 
gory in which the Montauk is placed.” 

“ Oh ! captain, no fear of me, when you are concerned. You 
know I am a friend, and you have no cause to apprehend any 
thing ; though I’ll not answer for everybody else on board ; for 
there are passengers in this ship to whom I have decided an- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


193 


tipathies, and whose deportment meets with my unqualified dis- 
approbation.” 

“ And you intend to paragraph them ?” 

Mr. Dodge was now swelhng with the conceit of a vulgar 
and inflated man, who not only fancies himself in possession of 
a power that others dread, but was so far blinded to his own 
qualities as to think his opinion of importance to those whom 
he felt, in the minutest fibre of his envious and malignant 
system, to be in every essential his superiors. He did not dare 
express all his rancor, while he was unequal to suppressing it 
entirely. 

“ These EflSnghams, and this Mr. Sharp, and that Mr. Blunt,” 
he muttered, “ think themselves everybody’s betters ; but we 
shall see ! America is not a country in which people can shut 
themselves up in rooms, and fancy they are lords and ladies.” 

“ Bless my soul !” said Captain Truck, with his afiected sim- 
plicity of manner ; “ how did you find this out, Mr. Dodge ? 
What a thing it is. Sir George, to be an active inquirer !” 

“ Oh ! I know when a man is blown up with notions of his 
own importance. As for Mr. John EflSngham, he has been so 
long abroad that he has forgotten that he is agoing home to a 
country of equal rights !” 

“ Very true, Mr. Dodge ; a country in which a man cannot 
shut himself up in his room, whenever the notion seizes him. 
This is the spirit. Sir George, to make a great nation, and you 
see that the daughter is likely to prove worthy of the old lady. 
But, my dear sir, are you quite sure that Mr. John EflBngham 
has absolutely so high a sentiment in his own favor. It would 
be awkward business to make a blunder in such a serious mat- 
ter, and murder a paragraph for nothing. You should remem- 
ber the mistake of the Irishman !” 

“ What was that ?” asked the baronet, who was completely 
mystified by the indomitable gravity of Captain Truck, whose 
character might be said to be actually formed by the long habit 
of treating the weaknesses of his fellow-creatures with cool 

9 


194 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


contempt. “We hear many good things at our club ; but I do 
not remember the mistake of the Irishman ?” 

“ He merely mistook the drumming in his own ear, for some 
unaccountable noise that disturbed his companions.” 

Mr. Dodge felt uncomfortable ; but there is no one in whom 
a vulgar-minded man stands so much in awe as an immovable 
quiz, who has no scruple in using his power. He shook his 
head, therefore, in a menacing manner, and affecting to have 
something to do he went below, leaving the baronet and cap- 
tain by themselves. 

“ Mr. Dodge is a stubborn friend of liberty,” said the former, 
when his room-mate was out of hearing. 

“ That is he, and you have his own word for it. He has 
no notion of letting a man do as he has a mind to ! We are 
full of such active inquirers in America, and I don’t care how 
many you shoot before you begin upon the white bears. Sir 
George.” 

“ But it would be more gracious in the Effinghams, you 
must allow, captain, if they shut themselves up in their cabin 
less, and admitted us to their society a little oftener. I am 
quite of Mr. Dodge’s way of thinking, that exclusion is exces- 
sively odious.” 

“There is a poor fellow in the steerage. Sir George, to 
whom I have given a piece of canvas to repair a damage to 
his mainsail, who would say the same thing, did he know of 
your six-and-thirtys. Take a cigar, my dear sir, and smoke 
away sorrow.” 

“ Thankee, captain : I never smoke. We never smoke at 
our club, though some of us go, at times, to the divan to try a 
chibouk.” 

“ We can’t all have cabins to ourselves, or no one would 
live forward. If the Effinghams like their own apartment, I 
do honestly believe it is for a reason as simple as that it is the 
best in the ship. I’ll warrant you, if there were a better, that 
they would be ready enough to change. I suppose when we 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


195 


get ill, Mr. Dodge will honor you with an article in ‘ The Active 
Inquirer ?’ ” 

“ To own the truth, he has intimated some such thing.” 

“ And why not ? A very instructive paragraph might be 
made about the six-and-thirty pair of breeches, and the patent 
razors, and the dressing-case, to say nothing of the Rocky 
Mountains, and the white bears.” 

Sir George now began to feel uncomfortable, and making 
a few unmeaning remarks about the late accident, he disap- 
peared. 

Captain Truck, who never smiled except at the corner of 
his left eye, turned away, and began rattling off his people, and 
throwing in a hint or two to Saunders, with as much indiffer- 
ence as if he were a firm believer in the unfailing orthodoxy of 
a newspaper, and entertained a profound respect for the editor 
of the ‘ Active Inquirer,’ in particular. 

The prognostic of the master concerning the strange ship 
proved true, for about nine at night she came within hail, and 
backed her maintop-sail. This vessel proved to be an Ameri- 
can in ballast, bound from Gibraltar to New York ; a return 
storeship from the squadron kept in the Mediterranean. She 
had met the gale to the westward of Madeira, and after hold- 
ing on as long as possible, had also been compelled to scud. 
According to the report of her ofiicers, the Foam had run in 
much closer to the coast than herself, and it was their opinion 
she was lost. Their own escape was owing entirely to the 
wind’s abating, for they had actually been within sight of the 
land, though having received no injury, they had been able to 
haul off in season. 

Luckily, this ship was ballasted with fresh water, and Cap- 
tain Truck passed the night in negotiating a transfer of her 
steerage passengers, under an apprehension that, in the crippled 
state of his own vessel, his supplies might be exhausted before 
he could reach America. In the morning, the offer of being 
put on board the storeship was made to those who chose to 


196 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


accept it, and all in the steerage, with most from the cabin, 
profited by the occasion to exchange a dismasted vessel for one 
that was, at least, full rigged. Provisions were transferred ac- 
cordingly, and by noon next day the stranger made sail on a 
wind, the sea being tolerably smooth, and the breeze still 
ahead. In three hours she was out of sight to the northward 
and westward, the Montauk holding her own dull course to the 
southward, with the double view of striking the trades, or of 
reaching one of the Cape de Verdes. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


197 


CHAPTER XV. 


“ Steph. Hi8 forward voice now is to speak well of his friend ; his backward voice 
is to utter foul speeches, and to detract” 


Tempest. 


The situation of the Montauk appeared more desolate than 
ever, after the departure of so many of her passengers. So long 
as her decks were thronged there was an air of life about her, 
that served to lessen disquietude, but now that she was left by 
all in the steerage, and by so many in the cabins, those who re- 
mained began to entertain livelier apprehensions of the future. 
When the, upper sails of the storeship sunk as a speck in the 
ocean, Mr. Effingham regretted that he, too, had not overcome 
his reluctance to a crowded and inconvenient cabin, and gone 
on board her, with his own party. Thirty years before he would 
have thought himself fortunate in finding so good a ship, and 
accommodations so comfortable; but habit and indulgence 
change all our opinions, and he had now thought it next to im- 
possible to place Eve and Mademoiselle Viefville in a situation 
that was so common to those who travelled by sea at the com- 
mencement of the century. 

Most of the cabin passengers, as has just been stated, decided 
differently, none remaining but the Effinghams and their party, 
Mr. Sharp, Mr. Blunt, Sir George Templemore, Mr. Dodge, and 
Mr. Monday. Mr. Effingham had been infiuenced by the su- 
perior comforts of the packet, and his hopes that a speedy 
arrival at the islands would enable the ship to refit, in time to 
reach America almost as soon as the dull-sailing vessel which 
had just left them. Mr* Sharp and Mr. Blunt had both ex- 


# 


198 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


pressed a determination to share his fortunes, which was indi- 
rectly saying that they would share the fortunes of his daughter. 
John Effingham remained, as a matter of course, though he had 
made a proposition to the stranger to tow them into port, an 
arrangement that failed in consequence of the two captains dis- 
agreeing as to the course proper to be steered, as well as to a 
more serious obstacle in the way of compensation, the stranger 
throwing out some pretty plain hints about salvage ; and Mr. 
Monday staying from an inveterate attachment to the steward’s 
stores, more of which, he rightly judged, would now fall to his 
share than formerly. 

Sir George Templemore had gone on board the storeship, 
and had given some very clear demonstrations of an intention 
to transfer himself and the thirty-six pair of breeches to that 
vessel ; but on examining her comforts, and particularly the con- 
fined place in which he should be compelled to stow himself 
and his numerous curiosities, he was unequal to the sacrifice. 
On the other hand, he knew an entire stateroom would now fall 
to his share, and this self-indulged and feeble-minded young 
man preferred his immediate comfort, and the gratification of 
his besetting weakness, to his safety. 

As for Mr. Dodge, he had the American mania of hurry, and 
was one of the first to propose a general swarming, as soon as 
it was known the stranger could receive them. During the 
night, he had been actively employed in fomenting a party to 
“ resolve” that prudence required the Montauk should be alto- 
gether abandoned, and even after this scheme failed, he had 
dwelt eloquently in corners (Mr. Dodge was too meek, and too 
purely democratic, ever to speak aloud, unless under the shadow 
of public opinion), on the propriety of Captain Truck’s yielding 
his own judgment to that of the majority. He might as well 
have scolded against the late gale, in the expectation of out- 
railing the tempest, as to make such an attempt on the firm-set 
notions of the old seaman concerning his duty ; for no sooner 
vviis the thing intimated to him than he growled a denial in a 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


199 


tone that he was little accustomed to use to his passengers, and 
one that effectually silenced remonstrance. When these two 
plans had failed, Mr. Dodge endeavored strenuously to show 
Sir George that his interests and safety were on the side of a 
removal ; but with all his eloquence, and with the hold that 
incessant adulation had actually given him on the mind of the 
other, he was unable to overcome his love of ease, and chiefly 
the passion for the enjoyment of the hundred articles of com- 
fort and curiosity in which the baronet so much delighted. 
The breeches might have been packed in a trunk, it is true, 
and so might the razors, and the dressing-case, and the pistols, 
and most of the other things ; but Sir George loved to look at 
them daily, and as many as possible were constantly paraded 
before his eyes. 

To the surprise of every one, Mr. Dodge, on finding it im- 
possible to prevail on Sir George Templemore to leave the 
packet, suddenly announced his own intention to remain also. 
Few stopped to inquire into his motives in the hurry of such a 
moment. To his room-mate he affirmed that the strong friend- 
ship he had formed for him, could alone induce him to relin- 
quish the hope of reaching home previously to the autumn 
elections. 

Nor did Mr. Dodge greatly color the truth in making this 
statement. He was an American demagogue precisely in obe- 
dience to those feelings and inclinations which would have 
made him a courtier anywhere else. It is true, he had travel- 
led, or thought he had travelled, in a diligence with a countess 
or two, but from these he had been obliged to separate early 
on account of the force of things; while here he had got a 
bmA-fide English baronet all to himself, in a confined state- 
room, and his imagination revelled in the glory and gratification 
of such an acquaintance. What were the proud and distant 
Effinghams to Sir George Templemore ! He even ascribed 
their reserve with the baronet to envy, a passion of whose ex- 
istence he had very lively perceptions, and he found a secret 


200 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


charm in being shut up in so small an apartment with a man 
who could excite envy in an Effingham. Rather than abandon 
his aristocrat! cal prize, therefore, whom he intended to exhibit 
to all his democratic friends in his own neighborhood, Mr. 
Dodge determined to abandon his beloved hurry, looking for 
his reward in the future pleasure of talking of Sir George Tem- 
plemore and his curiosities, and of his sayings and his jokes, 
in the circle at home. Odd, moreover, as it may seem, Mr. 
Dodge had an itching desire to remain with the Effinghams ; 
for while he was permitting jealousy and a consciousness of in- 
feriority to beget hatred, he was willing at any moment to 
make peace, provided it could be done by a frank admission 
into their intimacy. As to the innocent family that was ren- 
dered of so much account to the happiness of Mr. Dodge, it 
seldom thought of that individual at all, little dreaming of its 
own importance in his estimation, and merely acted in obedience 
to its own cultivated tastes and high principles in disliking his 
company. It fancied itself, in this particular, the master of its 
own acts, and this so much the more, that with the reserve of 
good-breeding its members seldom indulged in censorious per- 
sonal remarks, and never in gossip. 

As a consequence of these contradictory feelings of Mr. 
Dodge, and of the fastidiousness of Sir George Templemore, 
the interest her two admirers took in Eve, the devotion of Mr. 
Monday to sherry and champagne, and the decision of Mr. 
Effingham, these persons therefore remained the sole occupants 
of the cabins of the Montauk. Of the oi polloi who had left 
them, we have hitherto said nothing, because this separation 
was to remove them entirely from the interest of our incidents. 

If we were to say that Captain Truck did not feel melancholy 
as the store-ship sunk beneath the horizon, we should represent 
that stout-hearted mariner as more stoical than he actually 
was. In the course of a long and adventurous professional life, 
he had encountered calamities before, but he had never before 
been compelled to call in assistance to deliver his passengers at 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


‘201 


tlie stipulated port, since he had commanded a packet. He 
felt the necessity, in the present instance, as a sort of stain 
upon his character as a seaman, though in fact the accident 
which had occurred was chiefly to be attributed to a concealed 
defect in the mainmast. The honest master sighed often, 
smoked nearly double the usual number of cigars in the course 
of the afternoon, and when the sun went down gloriously in 
the distant west, he stood gazing at the sky in melancholy 
silence, as long as any of the magnificent glory that accompa- 
nies the decline of day lingered among the vapors of the hori- 
zon. He then summoned Saunders to the quarter-deck, where 
the following dialogue took place between them : 

“ This is a devil of a category to be in, Master Steward !” 

“ Well, he might be better, sir. I only wish the good butter 
may endure until we get in.” 

“ If it fail, I shall go nigh to see you clapt into the State 
Prison, or at least into that Gothic cottage on Blackwell’s 
Island.” 

“ There is an end to all things. Captain Truck, if you please, 
sir, even to butter. I presume, sir, Mr. Yattel, if he know any 
thing of cookery, will admit that.” 

“ Harkee, Saunders, if you ever insinuate again that Yattel 
belonged to the coppers, in my presence. I’ll take the liberty to 
land you on the coast here, where you may amuse yourself in 
stewing young monkeys for your own dinner. I saw you aboard 
the other ship, sir, overhauling her arrangements ; what sort of 
a time will the gentlemen be likely to have in her ?” 

“ Atrocious, sir ! I give you my honor, as a real gentleman, 
sir. Why, would you believe it. Captain Truck, the steward is 
a downright nigger, and he wears ear-rings, and a red flannel 
shirt, without the least edication. As for the cook, sir, he 
wouldn’t pass an examination for J emmy Ducks aboard here, 
and there is but one camboose, and one set of coppers.” 

“ Well, the steerage passengers, in that case, will fare as well 
as the cabin.” 


9 * 


202 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Yes, sir, and the cabin as bad as the steerage ; and for iiiy 
part, I abomernate liberty and equality.” 

“You should converse with Mr. Dodge on that subject, 
Master Saunders, and let the hardest fend off in the argument. 
May I inquire, sir, if you happen to remember the day of the 
week ?” 

“ Beyond controversy, sir ; to-morrow will be Sunday, Cap- 
tain Truck, and I think it a thousand pities we have not an 
opportunity to solicit the prayers and praises of the Church, sir, 
in our behalf, sir.” 

“ If to-morrow will be Sunday, to-day must be Saturday, 
Mr. Saunders, unless this last gale has deranged the calendar.” 

“ Quite naturally, sir, and werry justly remarked. Every- 
body admits there is no better navigator than Captain Truck, 
sir.” 

“ This may be true, my honest fellow,” returned the captain 
moodily, after making three or four heavy puffs at the cigar ; 
“ but I am sadly out of my road down here in the country of 
your amiable family, just now. If this be Saturday, there will 
be a Saturday night before long, and look to it, that we have 
our ‘ sweethearts and wives.’ Though I have neither myself, I 
feel the necessity of something cheerful, to raise my thoughts 
to the future.” 

“ Depend on my discretion, sir, and I rejoice to hear you say 
it ; for I think, sir, a ship is never so respectable and genteel 
as when she celebrates all the anniwersaries. You will be quite 
a select and agreeable party to-night, sir.” 

With this remark Mr. Saunders withdrew, to confer with 
Toast on the subject, and Captain Truck proceeded to give his 
orders for the night to Mr. Leach. The proud ship did indeed 
present a sight to make a seaman melancholy ; for to the only 
regular sail that stood, the foresail, by this time was added a 
lower studding-sail, imperfectly rigged, and which would not 
resist a fresh puff, while a very inartificial jury-topmast sup- 
ported a topgallant-sail, that could only be carried in a free 


HOMEWAUD BOUND. 


203 


wind. Aft, preparations were making of a more permanent 
nature, it is true. The upper part of the mainmast had been 
cut away, as low as the steerage deck, where an arrangement 
had been made to step a spare topmast. The spar itself was 
lying on the deck rigged, and a pair of sheers were in readiness 
to be hoisted, in order to sway it up ; but night approaching, 
the men had been broken off, to rig the yards, bend the sails, 
and to fit the other spars it was intended to use, postponing the 
last act, that of sending all up, until morning. 

“ We are likely to have a quiet night of it,” said the captain, 
glancing his eyes round at the heavens ; “ and at eight o’clock 
to-morrow let all hands be called, when we will turn-to with a 
will, and make a brig of the old hussey. This topmast will do 
to bear the strain of the spare main-yard, unless there come 
another gale, and by reefing the new mainsail we shall be able 
to make something out of it. The topgallant-mast will fit of 
course above, and we may make out, by keeping a little free, to 
carry the sail : at need, we may possibly coax the contrivance 
into carrying a studding-sail also. We have sticks for no more, 
though we’ll endeavor to get up something aft, out of the spare 
spars obtained from the storeship. You may knock off at four 
bells, Mr. Leach, and let the poor fellows have their Saturday’s 
night in peace. It is a misfortune enough to be dismasted, 
without having one’s grog stopped.” 

The mate of course obeyed, and the evening shut in beauti- 
fully and placid, with all the glory of a mild night, in a latitude 
as low as that they were in. They who have never seen the 
ocean under such circumstances, know little of its charms in its 
moments of rest. The term of sleeping is well applied to its 
impressive stillness, for the long sluggish swells on which the 
ship rose and fell, hardly disturbed its surface. The moon did 
not rise until midnight, and Eve, accompanied by Mademoiselle 
Viefville and most of her male companions, walked the deck 
by the bright starlight, until fatigued with pacing their narrow 
bounds. 


204 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


The song and the laugh rose frequently from the forecastle, 
where the crew were occupied with their Saturday night ; and 
occasionally a rude sentiment in the way of a toast was heard. 
But weariness soon got the better of merriment forward, and 
the hard-worked mariners who had the watch below soon 
went down to their berths, leaving those whose duty it was to 
remain to doze away the long hours in such places as they could 
find on deck. 

“A white squall,” said Captain Truck, looking up at the 
uncouth sails that hardly impelled the vessel a mile in the hour 
through the water, “ would soon fiirl all our canvas for us, and 
we are in the very place for such an interlude.” 

“ And what would then become of us ?” asked Mademoiselle 
Viefville quickly. 

“ You had better ask what would become of that apology 
for a topsail, mam’selle, and yonder stun’sail, which looks like 
an American in London without straps to his pantaloons. The 
canvas would play kite, and we should be left to renew our in- 
ventions. A ship could scarcely be in better plight than we 
are at this moment, to meet with one of these African flurries.” 

“ In which case, captain,” observed Mr. Monday, who stood 
by the skylight watching the preparations below, “ we can go to 
our Saturday night without fear; for I see the steward has 
every thing ready, and the punch looks very inviting, to say 
nothing of the champagne.” 

“ Gentlemen, we will not forget our duty,” returned the cap- 
tain ; “ we are but a small family, and so much the greater need 
that we should prove a jolly one. Mr. Effingham, I hope we 
are to have the honor of your company at ‘ sweethearts and 
wives V ” 

Mr. Effingham had no wife, and the invitation coming under 
such peculiar circumstances, produced a pang that Eve, who 
felt his arm tremble, well understood. She mildly intimated 
her intention to go below, however ; the whole party followed, 
and lucky it was for the captain’s entertainment that she quit- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


206 


ted the deck, as few would otherwise have been present at it. 
By pressing the passengers to favor him with their company, 
he succeeded in the course of a few minutes in getting all the 
gentlemen seated at the cabin table, with a glass of delicious 
punch before each man. 

“ Mr. Saunders may not be a conjurer or a mathematician, 
gentlemen,” cried Captain Truck, as he ladled out the beverage, 
“ but he understands the philosophy of sweet and sour, strong 
and weak ; and I will venture to praise his liquor without tasting 
it. Well, gentlemen, there are better rigged ships on the ocean 
than this of ours; but there are few with more comfortable 
cabins, or stouter hulls, or better company. Please God we 
can get a few sticks aloft again, now that we are quit of our 
troublesome shadow, I think I may flatter myself with a reason- 
able hope of landing you, that do me the honor to stand by 
me, in New York, in less time than a common drogger would 
make the passage, with all his legs and arms. Let our first 
toast be, if you please, ‘ A happy end to that which has had a 
disastrous beginning.’ ” 

Captain Truck’s hard face twitched a little while he was 
making this address ; and as he swallowed the punch, his eyes 
glistened in spite of himself. Mr. Dodge, Sir George, and Mr. 
Monday repeated the sentiment sonorously, word for word, 
while the other gentlemen bowed, and drank it in silence. 

The commencement of a regular scene of merriment is 
usually dull and formal, and it was some time before Captain 
Truck could bring any of his companions up to the point where 
he wished to see them ; for though a perfectly sober man, he 
loved a social glass, and particularly at those times and seasons 
which conformed to the practice of his calling. Although Eve 
and her governess had declined taking their seats at the table, 
they consented to place themselves where they might be seen, 
and where they might share occasionally in the conversation. 

“ Here have I been drinking sweethearts and wives of a 
Saturday night, my dear young lady, these forty years and 


206 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


more,” said Captain Truck, after the party had sipped their 
liquor for a minute or two, “ without ever falling into luck’s 
latitude, or furnishing myself with either : but, though so neg- 
ligent of my own interests and happiness, I make it an invariable 
rule to advise all my young friends to get spliced before they 
are thirty. Many is the man who has come aboard my ship 
a determined bachelor in his notions, who has left it at the end 
of the passage ready to marry the first pretty young woman 
he fell in with.” 

As Eve had too much of the self-respect of a lady, and of the 
true dignity of her sex, to permit jokes concerning matrimony, 
or a treatise on love, to make a part of her conversation, and 
all the gentlemen of her party understood her character too 
well, to say nothing of their own habits, to second this attempt 
of the captain’s, after a vapid remark or two from the others, 
this rally of the honest mariner produced no suites. 

“ Are we not unusually low. Captain Truck,” inquired Paul 
Blunt, with a view to change the discourse, “ not to have fallen 
in with the trades ? I have commonly met with those winds 
on this coast as high as twenty-six or twenty-seven, and I be- 
lieve you observed to-day, in twenty-four.” 

Captain Truck looked hard at the speaker, and when he had 
done, he nodded his head in approbation. 

“You have travelled this road before, Mr. Blunt, I perceive. 
I have suspected you of being a brother chip, from the moment 
I saw you first put your foot on the side-cleets in getting out 
of the boat. You did not come aboard parrot-toed, like a 
country-girl waltzing ; but set the ball of the foot firmly on the 
wood, and swung off the length of your arms, like a man who 
knows how to humor the muscles. Your present remark, too, 
shows you understand where a ship ought to be, in order to be 
in her right place. As for the trades, they are a little uncertain, 
like a lady’s mind when she has more than one good offer ; for 
I’ve known them to blow as high as thirty, and then again, to 
fail a vessel as low as twenty-three, or even lower. It is my 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


207 


private opinion, gentlemen, and I gladly take this opportunity 
to make it public, that we are on the edge of the trades, or in 
those light baffling winds which prevail along their margin, as 
eddies play near the track of strong steady currents in the 
ocean. If we can force the ship fairly out of this trimming 
region — that is the word, I believe, Mr. Dodge — we shall do 
well enough ; for a northeast, or an east wind, would soon send 
us up with the islands, even under the rags we carry. We are 
very near the coast, certainly — much nearer than I could wish ; 
but when we do get the good breeze, it will be all the better 
for us, as it will find us well to windward.” 

“ But these trades. Captain Truck ?” asked Eve ; “ if they al- 
ways blow in the same direction, how is it possible that the late 
gale should drive a ship into the quarter of the ocean where 
they prevail ?” 

“ Always, means sometimes, my dear young lady. Although 
light winds prevail near the edge of the trades, gales, and tre- 
mendous fellows too, sometimes blow there also, as we have 
just seen. I think we shall now have settled weather, and that 
our chance of a safe arrival, more particularly in some southern 
American port, is almost certain, though our chance for a speedy 
arrival be not quite as good. I hope, before twenty-four hours 
are passed, to see our decks white with sand.” 

“ Is that a phenomenon seen here ?” asked the father. 

“ Often, Mr. Effingham, when ships are close in with Africa, 
and are fairly in the steady winds. To say the truth, the 
country abreast of us, some twenty or thirty miles distant, is 
not the most inviting ; and though it may not be easy to say 
where the garden of Eden is, it is not hazardous to say it is not 
there.” 

“ If we are so very near the coast, why do we not see it ?” 

“Perhaps we might from aloft, if we had any aloft just now. 
We are to the southward of the mountains, however, and off a 
part of the country where the Great Desert makes from the 
coast. And now, gentlemen, I perceive Mr. Monday finds all 


208 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


this sand arid, and I ask permission to give you, one and all, 
‘ Sweethearts and wives.’ ” 

Most of the company drank the usual toast with spirit, 
though both the EflBnghams scarce wetted their lips. Eve stole 
a timid glance at her father, and her own eyes were filled 
with tears as she withdrew them ; for she knew that every allu- 
sion of this nature revived in him mournful recollections. As 
for her cousin Jack, he was so confirmed a bachelor that she 
thought nothing of his want of sympathy with such a sentiment. 

“You must have a care for your heart in America, Sir 
George Templemore,” cried Mr. Dodge, whose tongue loosened 
with the liquor he drank. “ Our ladies are celebrated for their 
beauty, and are immensely popular, I can assure you.” 

Sir George looked pleased, and it is quite probable his 
thoughts ran on the one particular vestment of the six-and- 
thirty, in which he ought to make his first appearance in such 
a society. 

“I allow the American ladies to be handsome,” said Mr. 
Monday ; “ but I think no Englishman need be in any particu- 
lar danger of his heart from such a cause, after having been ac- 
customed to the beauty of his own island. Captain Truck, I 
have the honor to drink your health.” 

“ Fairly said,” cried the captain, bowing to the compliment ; 
“ and I ascribe my own hard fortune to the fact that I have 
been kept sailing between two countries so much favored in 
this particular, that I have never been able to make up my 
mind which to prefer. I have wished a thousand times there 
was but one handsome woman in the world, when a man would 
have nothing to do but fall in love with her; and make up his 
mind to get married at once, or to hang himself.” 

“ That is a cruel wish to us men,” returned Sir George, “ as 
we should be certain to quarrel for the beauty.” 

“ In such a case,” resumed Mr. Monday, “ we common men 
would have to give way to the claims of the nobility and gen- 
try, and satisfy ourselves with plainer companions ; though an 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


209 


Englisliman loves his independence, and might rebel. I have 
the honor to drink your health and happiness, Sir George.” 

“I protest against your principle, Mr. Monday,” said Mr. 
Dodge,” which is an invasion of human rights. Perfect free- 
dom of action is to be maintained in this matter as in all others. 
I acknowledge that the English ladies are extremely beautiful, but 
I shall always maintain the supremacy of the American fair.” 

“We will drink their healths, sir. I am far from denying 
their beauty, Mr. Dodge, but I think you must admit that they 
fade earlier than our British ladies. God bless them both, how- 
ever, and I empty this glass to the two entire nations, with all 
my heart and soul.” 

“ Perfectly polite, Mr. Monday ; but as to the fading of the 
ladies, I am not certain that I can yield an unqualified appro- 
bation to your sentiment.” 

“ Nay, sir, your climate, you will allow is none of the best, 
and it wears out constitutions almost as fast as your States 
make them.” 

“ I hope there is no real danger to be apprehended from the 
climate,” said Sir George : “ I particularly detest bad climates ; 
and for that reason have always made it a rule never to go into 
Lincolnshire.” 

“In that case. Sir George, you had better have staid at 
home. In the way of climate, a man seldom betters himself 
by leaving old England. Now this is the tenth time I’ve been 
in America, allowing that I ever reach there, and although I 
entertain a profound respect for the country, I find myself grow- 
ing older every time I quit it. Mr. Effingham, I do myself the 
favor to drink your health and happiness.” 

“You live too well when amongst us, Mr. Monday,” said the 
captain ; “ there are too many soft crabs, hard clams, and canvas- 
backs ; too much old Madeira, and generous Sherry, for a man 
of your well-known taste to resist them. Sit less time at table, 
and go oftener to church this trip, and let us hear your report 
of the consequences a twelvemonth hence.” 


210 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ You quite mistake my habits, Captain Truck, I give you 
my honor. Although a judicious eater, I seldom take any 
thing that is compounded, being a plain roast and boiled man ; 
a true old-fashioned Englishman in this respect, satisfying my 
appetite with solid beef and mutton, and turkeys and pork, and 
puddings and potatoes, and turnips and carrots, and similar 
simple food ; and then I never drink. — Ladies, I ask the honor 
to be permitted to wish you a happy return to your native 
countries. — I ascribe all the diflSculty, sir, to the climate, which 
will not permit a man to digest properly.” 

“Well, Mr. Monday, I subscribe to most of your opinions, 
and I believe few men cross the ocean together that are more 
harmonious in sentiment, in general, than has proved to be the 
case between you and Sir George, and myself,” observed Mr. 
Dodge, glancing obliquely and pointedly at the rest of the 
party, as if he thought they were in a decided minority ; “ but 
in this instance I feel constrained to record my vote in the neg- 
ative. I believe America has as good a climate, and as good 
general digestion, as commonly falls to the lot of mortals : 
more than this I do not claim for the country, and less than 
this I should be reluctant to maintain. I have travelled a little, 
gentlemen, not as much, perhaps, as the Messrs. EflSnghams ; 
but then a man can see no more than is to be seen ; and I do 
affirm. Captain Truck, that in my poor judgment, which I know 
is good for nothing — ” 

“ Why do you use it, then ?” abruptly asked the straightfor- 
ward captain ; “ why not rely on a better ?” 

“We must use such as we have, or go without, sir; and I 
suspect, in my very poor judgment, which is probably poorer 
than that of most others on board, that America is a very good 
sort of a country. At all events, after having seen something 
of other countries, and governments, and people, I am of opin- 
ion that America, as a country, is quite good enough for me.” 

“ You never said truer words, Mr. Dodge, and I beg you will 
join Mr. Monday and myself in a fresh glass of puncli, just to 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


211 


help on the digestion. You have seen more of human nature 
than your modesty allows you to proclaim ; and I dare say this 
company would be gratified if you would overcome all scru- 
ples, and let us know your private opinions of the diflferent peo- 
ple you have visited. Tell us something of that dittur you 
made on the Rhine.” 

“ Mr. Dodge intends to publish, it is to be hoped !” observed 
Mr. Sharp ; “ and it may not be fair to anticipate his matter.” 

“ I beg, gentlemen, you will have no scruples on that score, 
for my work will be rather philosophical and general, than of 
the particular nature of private anecdotes. Saunders, hand me 
the manuscript journal you will find on the shelf of our state- 
room, next to Sir George’s patent tooth-pick case. This is the 
book ; and now, gentlemen and ladies, I beg you to remember 
that these are merely the ideas as they arose, and not my more 
mature reflections.” 

“Take a little punch, sir,” interrupted the captain again, 
whose hard nor’west face was set in the most demure attention. 
“ There is nothing like punch to clear the voice, Mr. Dodge ; 
the acid removes the huskiness, the sugar softens the tones, the 
water mellows the tongue, and the Jamaica braces the muscles. 
With a plenty of punch, a man soon gets to be another — I for- 
get the name of that great orator of antiquity, — it wasn’t Vattel, 
however.” 

“ You mean Demosthenes, sir; and, gentlemen, I beg you to 
remark that this orator was a republican : but there can be 
no question that liberty is favorable to the encouragement of 
all the higher qualities. Would you prefer a few notes on 
Paris, ladies, or shall I commence with some extracts about the 
Rhine ?” 

“ Oh ! de grace^ monsieur^ be so very kind as not to over- 
look Paris r said Mademoiselle Viefville. 

Mr. Dodge bowed graciously, and turning over the leaves of 
his private journal, he alighted in the heart of the great city 
named. After some preliminary hemming, he commenced 


212 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


reading in a grave didactic tone, that suflSciently showed the 
value he had attached to his own observations. 

“ ‘ Dejjuned at ten, as usual, an hour that I find exceedingly 
unreasonable and improper, and one that would meet with 
general disapprobation in America. I do not wonder that a 
people gets to be immoral and depraved in their practices, who 
keep such improper hours. The mind acquires habits of im- 
purity, and all the sensibilities become blunted, by taking the 
meals out of the natural seasons. I impute much of the cor- 
ruption of France to the periods of the day in which the food 
is taken — ' ” 

“ Voila une dr ole cCidie /” ejaculated Mademoiselle Viefville. 

“ ‘ — ^In which food is taken,’ ” repeated Mr. Dodge, who fan- 
cied the involuntary exclamation was in approbation of the 
justice of his sentiments. “ ‘ Indeed the custom of taking wine 
at this meal, together with the immorality of the hour, must be 
chief reasons why the French ladies are so much in the prac- 
tice of drinking to excess.’ ” 

“ Mais^ monsieur /” 

“ You perceive, mademoiselle calls in question the accuracy 
of your facts,” observed Mr. Blunt, who, in common with all 
the listeners. Sir George and Mr. Monday excepted, began to 
enjoy a scene which at first had promised nothing but ennui 
and disgust. 

“ I have it on the best authority, I give you my honor, or I 
would not introduce so grave a charge in a work of this con- 
templated importance. I obtained my information from an 
English gentleman who has resided twelve years in Paris ; and 
he informs me that a very large portion of the women of fashion 
in that capital, let them belong to what country they will, are 
dissipated.” 

“AZa honTie heure^ monsieur! — mais^ to drink, it is very 
different.” 

“ Not so much so, mademoiselle, as you imagine,” rejoined 
J ohn Effingham. “ Mr. Dodge is a purist hi language as well 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


213 


as in morals, and he uses terms differently from ns less-instructed 
prattlers. By dissipated, he understands a drunkard.” 

“ Comment /” 

“ Certainly ; Mr. John Effingham, I presume, will at least 
give us the credit in America in speaking our language better 
than any other known people. ‘After dejjunying, took a 
-phyacre and rode to the palace, to see the king and royal family 
leave for Nully. — ’ ” 

“ Pour oil 

“ Pour Neuilly^ mademoiselle'' Eve quietly answered. 

— For Nully. His majesty went on horseback, preceding 
his illustrious family and all the rest of the noble party, dressed 
in a red coat, laced with white on the seams, wearing blue 
breeches and a cocked hat.’ ” 

“ Cieir 

“ ‘ I made the king a suitable republican reverence as he 
passed, which he answered with a gracious smile, and a be- 
nignant glance of his royal eye. The Hon. Louis Philippe 
Orleans, the present sovereign of the French, is a gentleman 
of portly and commanding appearance, and in his state attire, 
which he wore on this occasion, looks “ every inch a king.” 
He rides with grace and dignity, and sets an example of de- 
corum and gravity to his subjects, by the solemnity of his air, 
that it is to be hoped will produce a beneficial and benign in- 
fluence during this reign, on the manners of the nation. His 
dignity was altogether worthy of the schoolmaster of Haddon- 
field.’ ” 

“ Par exemple !" 

“Yes, mam’selle, in the way of example, it is that I mean. 
‘ Although a pure democrat, and every way opposed to exclu- 
sion, I was particularly struck with the royalty of his majesty’s 
demeanor, and the great simplicity of his whole deportment. 
I stood in the crowd next to a very accomplished countess, who 
spoke English, and she did me the honor to invite me to pay 
her a visit at her hotel, in the vicinity of the Bourse.’ ” 


214 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ M(m Dieu — mon Dieu — mon Dieu /” 

“ ‘ After promising my fair companion to be punctual, I walked 
as far as Notter Dam — ’ ” 

“ I wish Mr. Dodge would be a little more distinct in his 
names,” said Mademoiselle Viefville, who had begun to take an 
interest in the subject, that even valueless opinions excite in us 
concerning things that touch the affections. 

“ Mr. Dodge is a little profane, mademoiselle,” observed the 
captain ; “ but his journal probably was not intended for the 
ladies, and you must overlook it. Well, sir, you went to that 
naughty place — ” 

“ To Notter Dam, Captain Truck, if you please, and I flatter 
myself that is pretty good French.” 

“ I think, ladies and gentlemen, we have a right to insist on 
a translation ; for plain roast and boiled men, like Mr. Monday 
and myself, are sometimes weeping when we ought to laugh, 
so long as the discourse is in any thing but old-fashioned Eng- 
lish. Help yourself, Mr. Monday, and remember, you never 
drink.” 

'‘^Notter Dam, I believe, mam’selle, means our Mother, the 
Church of our Mother. Notter, or Noster, our, — Dam, Mother : 
Notter Dam. ‘Here I was painfully impressed with the irreli- 
gion of the structure, and the general absence of piety in the 
architecture. Idolatry abounded, and so did holy water. How 
often have I occasion to bless Providence for having made me 
one of the descendants of those pious ancestors who cast their 
fortunes in the wilderness in preference to giving up their hold 
on faith and charity ! The building is much inferior in comfort 
and true taste to the commoner American churches, and met 
with my unqualified disapprobation.’ ” 

“ Est-il possible que cela soil vrai, ma ch^re P 

“t/e Vespere, hien, mademoiselle^ 

“ You may despair hien, cousin Eve,” said John Efiingham, 
whose fine curvilinear face curled even more than usual with 
contempt. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


215 


The ladies whispered a few explauations, and Mr. Dodge, 
who fancied it was only necessary to resolve to be perfect to 
achieve his end, went on with his comments, with all the self- 
satisfaction of a provincial critic. 

“ ‘ From Notter Dam I proceeded in a cahrioly to the great 
national burying-ground, Pere la Chaise, so termed from the 
circumstance that its distance from the capital renders chaises 
necessary for the convoys — ' ” 

“ How’s this, how’s this !” interrupted Mr. Truck ; “ is one 
obliged to sail under a convoy about the streets of Paris ?” 

“ Monsieur Dodge vent dire^ convoi. Mr. Dodge means to 
say, convoi^'"' kindly interposed Mademoiselle Viefville. 

“ Mr. Dodge is a profound republican, and is an advocate for 
rotation in language, as well as in office : I must accuse you of 
inconstancy, my dear friend, if I die for it. You certainly do 
not pronounce your words always in the same way, and when 
I had the honor of carrying you out this time six months, wheu 
you were practising the continentals, as you call them, you gave 
very different sounds to many of the words I then had the 
pleasure and gratification of hearing you use.” 

“We all improve by travelling, sir, and I make no question 
that my knowledge of foreign language is considerably enlarged 
by practice in the countries in which they are spoken.” 

Here the reading of the journal was interrupted by a digres- 
sion on language, in which Messrs. Dodge, Monday, Temple- 
more, and Truck were the principal interlocutors, and during 
which the pitcher of punch was twice renewed. We shall not 
record much of this learned discussion, which was singularly 
common-place, though a few of the remarks may be given as a 
specimen of the whole. 

“ I must be permitted to say,” replied Mr. Monday to one of 
Mr. Dodge’s sweeping claims to superiority in favor of his own 
nation, “ that I think it quite extraordinary an Englishman 
should be obliged to go out of his own country in order to hear 
his own language spoken in purity ; and as one who has seen 


216 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


your people, Mr. Dodge, I will venture to affirm that nowhere 
is English better spoken than in Lancashire. Sir George, I 
drink your health !” 

“ More patriotic than just, Mr. Monday ; everybody allows 
that the American of the Eastern States speaks the best English 
in the world, and I think either of these gentlemen will con- 
cede that.” 

“Under the penalty of being nobody,” cried Captain Truck ; 
“ for my own part, I think, if a man wishes to hear the lan- 
guage in perfection, he ought to pass a week or ten days in 
the river. I must say, Mr. Dodge, I object to many of your 
sounds, particularly that of inyon, which I myself heard you 
call onion, no later than yesterday.” 

“ Mr. Monday is a little peculiar in fancying that the best 
English is to be met with in Lancashire,” observed Sir George 
Templemore ; “ for I do assure you that, in town, we have 
difficulty in understanding gentlemen from your part of the 
kingdom.” 

This was a hard cut from one in whom Mr. Monday expected 
to find an ally, and that gentleman was driven to washing down 
the discontent it excited, in punch. 

“ But all this time we have interrupted the convo% or convoy, 
captain,” said Mr. Sharp ; “ and Mr. Dodge, to say nothing of the 
mourners, has every right to complain. I beg that gentleman 
will proceed with his entertaining extracts.” 

Mr. Dodge hemmed, sipped a little more liquor, blew his 
nose, and continued : 

“‘The celebrated cemetery is, indeed, worthy of its high 
reputation. The utmost republican simplicity prevails in the 
interments, ditches being dug, in which the bodies are laid, side 
by side, without distinction of rank, and with regard only to the 
order in which the convoys arrive.’ I think this sentence, gen- 
tlemen, will have great success in America, where the idea of 
any exclusiveness is quite odious to the majority.” 

“ Well, for my part,” said the captain, “ I should have no 


4 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


217 


particular objection to being excluded from such a grave ; one 
would be afraid of catching the cholera in so promiscuous a 
company.” 

Mr. Dodge turned over a few leaves, and gave other extracts. 

“ ‘ The last six hours have been devoted to a profound in- 
vestigation of the fine arts. My first visit was to the gullyteen ; 
after which I passed an instructive hour or two in the galleries 
of the Musy — ’ ” 

“ Ow, done 

“ Le Mus^e, mademoiselle^ 

“ ‘ Where I discovered several very extraordinary things, in 
the way of sculpture and painting. I was particularly struck 
with the manner in which a plate was portrayed in the cele- 
brated marriage of Cana, which might very well have been 
taken for real Delft, and there was one finger on the hand of a 
lady that seemed actually fitted to receive and to retain the 
hymeneal ring.’ ” 

“ Did you inquire if she were engaged ? — Mr. Monday, we 
will drink her health.” 

“ ‘ Saint Michael and the Dragon is a shefdowvry — ’ ” 

“ JJn quoi 

“ Un chef -d^ oeuvre^ mademoiselle f 

“ ‘ The manner in which the angel holds the dragon with his 
feet, looking exactly like a worm trodden on by the foot of a 
child, is exquisitely plaintive and interesting. Indeed these 
touches of nature abound in the works of the old masters, and 
I saw several fruit-pieces that I could have eaten. One really 
gets an appetite by looking at many things here, and I no longer 
wonder that a Raphael, a Titian, a Correggio, a Guide-o — ’ ” 

“ Un Guido^ mademoiselle^ 

“ Or a Cooley.” 

“ And pray who may he be ?” asked Mr. Monday. 

“ A young genius in Dodgetown, who promises one day to 
render the name of an x^merican illustrious. He has painted a 


218 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Dew sign for the store, that in its way is quite equal to the mar- 
riage of Cana. ‘ I have stood, with tears, over the despair of a 
Niobe,’ ” continuing to read, “ ‘ and witnessed the contortions 
of the snakes in the Laocoon with a convulsive eagerness to 
clutch them, that has made me fancy I could hear them hiss.’ 
That sentence, I think, will be likely to be noticed even in the 
Nevv-Old-New-Yorker, one of the very best reviews of our days, 
gentlemen.” 

“ Take a little more punch, Mr. Dodge,” put in the attentive 
captain ; “ this grows affecting, and needs alleviation, as Saun- 
ders would say. Mr. Monday, you will get a bad name for 
being too sober, if you never empty your glass. Proceed, in 
the name of Heaven ! Mr. Dodge.” 

“ ‘ In the evening I went to the Grand Opery — ' ” 

“ Ow, done 

“ Au grand Hoppery, mademoiselle,” replied John Effingham. 

“ ‘ To the Grand Opery ^ ” resumed Mr. Dodge, with em- 
phasis, his eyes beginning to glisten by this time, for he had 
often applied to the punch for inspiration, “ ‘ where I listened 
to music that is altogether inferior to that which we enjoy in 
America, especially at the general trainings, and on the Sab- 
bath. The want of science was conspicuous ; and if this be 
music, then do I know nothing about it !’ ” 

“ A judicious remark !” exclaimed the captain. “ Mr. Dodge 
has great merit as a writer, for he loses no occasion to illustrate 
his opinions by the most unanswerable facts. He has acquired 
a taste for Zip Coon and Long-tail Blue, and it is no wonder he 
feels a contempt for your inferior artists.” 

“ ‘ As for the dancing,’ ” continued the editor of the Active 
Inquirer, “ ‘ it is my decided impression that nothing can be 
worse. The movement was more suited to a funeral than the 
ball-room, and I affirm, without fear of contradiction, that there 
is not an assembly in all America in which a cotilUcm would 
not be danced in one half the time that one was danced in the 
bally to-night.’ ” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


219 


“ Dans le quoi 

“ I believe I have not given the real Parisian pronunciation 
to this word, which the French call bal-/ay,” continued the 
reader, with great candor. 

“Belay, or make all fast, as we say on shipboard. Mr. 
Dodge, as master of this vessel, I beg to return you the united, 
or as Saunders would say, the condensed thanks of the passen- 
gers, for this information ; and next Saturday we look for a re- 
newal of the pleasure. The ladies are getting to be sleepy, I 
perceive, and as Mr. Monday never drinks, and the other gen- 
tlemen have finished their punch, we may as well retire, to get 
ready for a hard day’s work to-morrow.” 

Captain Truck made this proposal, because he saw that one 
or two of the party were plenum punchy and that Eve and her 
companion were becoming aware of the propriety of retiring. 
It was also true that he foresaw the necessity of rest, in order 
to be ready for the exertions of the morning. 

After the party had broken up, which it did very contrary 
to the wishes of Messrs. Dodge and Monday, Mademoiselle 
Viefville passed an hour in the stateroom of Miss Efiingham, 
during which time she made several supererogatory complaints 
of the manner in which the editor of the Active Inquirer had 
viewed things in Paris, besides asking a good many questions 
concerning his occupation and character. 

“ I am not quite certain, my dear mademoiselle, that I can 
give you a very learned description of the animal you think 
worthy of all these questions, but, by the aid of Mr. John 
EflSngham’s information, and a few words that have fallen from 
Mr. Blunt, I believe it ought to be something as follows : Amer- 
ica once produced a very distinguished philosopher, named 
Franklin — ” 

“ Comment^ ma cMre ! Tout le monde le connait P 

“ This Monsieur Franklin commenced life as a printer ; but, 
living to a great age, and rising to high employments, he be- 
came a philosopher in morals, as his studies had made him one 


220 


homeward bound. 


in physics. Now, America is full of printers, and most of them 
fancy themselves Franklins, until time and failures teach them 
discretion.” 

“ Mats the world has not seen but un seul Franhlin P' 

“ Nor is it likely to see another very soon. In America the 
young men are taught, justly enough, that by merit they may 
rise to the highest situations; and, always according to Mr. 
John Effingham, too many of them fancy that because they 
are at liberty to turn any high qualities they may happen to 
have to account, they are actually fit for any thing. Even he 
allows this peculiarity of the country does much good, but he 
maintains that it also does much harm, by causing pretenders 
to start up in all directions. Of this class he describes Mr. 
Dodge to be. This person, instead of working at the mechan- 
ical part of a press, to which he was educated, has the ambition 
to control its intellectual, and thus edits the Active Inquirer.” 

“ It must be a very useful journal !” 

“ It answers his purposes, most probably. He is full of pro- 
vincial ignorance, and provincial prejudices, you perceive ; and, 
I dare say, he makes his paper the circulator of all these, in 
addition to the personal rancor, envy, and uncharitableness 
that usually distinguish a pretension that mistakes itself for 
ambition. My cousin Jack affirms that America is filled with 
such as he.” 

“ And, Monsieur Effingham ?” 

“ Oh ! my dear father is all mildness and charity, you know, 
mademoiselle, and he only looks at the bright side of the pic- 
ture, for he maintains that a great deal of good results from 
the activity and elasticity of such a state of things. While he 
confesses to a great deal of downright ignorance that is para- 
ded as knowledge ; to much narrow intolerance that is of- 
fensively prominent in the disguise of principle, and a love of 
liberty ; and to vulgarity and personalities that wound all taste, 
and every sentiment of right, he insists on it that the main re- 
sult is good.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


221 


“ In such a case there is no need of an umpire. You men- 
tioned the case of Mr. Blunt. Comme cejeune homme parle hien 
Fran^ais /” 

Eve hesitated, and she changed color slightly, before she 
answered. 

“ I am not certain that the opinion of Mr. Blunt ought to be 
mentioned in opposition to those of my father and cousin Jack, 
on such a subject,” she said. “ He is very young, and it is, now, 
quite questionable whether he is even an American at all.” 

“ Tant mieux, ma chere. He has been much in the country, 
and it is not the native that makes the best judge, when the 
stranger has many opportunities of seeing.” 

On this principle, mademoiselle, you are, then, to give up 
your own judgment about France, on all those points in which 
I have the misfortune to differ from you,” said Eve, laughing. 

“ Pas tout a fait^'‘ returned the governess good-humoredly. 
“Age and experience must pass ;pour quelque chose. Ft 
Monsieur Blunt ? — ” 

“ Monsieur Blunt leans nearer to the side of cousin Jack, I 
fear, than to that of my dear, dear father. He says men of 
Mr. Dodge’s character, propensities, malignancy, intolerance, ig- 
norance, vulgarity, and peculiar vices abound in and about the 
American press. He even insists that they do an incalculable 
amount of harm, by influencing those who have no better 
sources of information ; by setting up low jealousies and envy 
in the place of principles and the right ; by substituting — I use 
his own words, mademoiselle,” said Eve, blushing with the con- 
sciousness of the fidelity of her memory — “ by substituting un- 
instructed provincial notions for true taste and liberality ; by 
confounding the real principles of liberty with personal envies, 
and the jealousies of station ; and by losing sight entirely of 
their duties to the public, in the efibrt to advance their own 
interests. He says that the government is in truth express- 
ocracy^ and a press-ocracy, too, that has not the redeeming 
merit of either principles, tastes, talents, or knowledge.” 


222 ^ HOMEWARD BOUND. 

“ Ce Mmdeur Blunt has been very explicit, and suffisam- 
ment eloquent^' returned Mademoiselle Yiefville, gravely ; for the 
prudent governess did not fail to observe that Eve used lan- 
guage so very different from that which was habitual to her, as 
to make her suspect she quoted literally. For the first time the 
suspicion was painfully awakened, that it was her duty to be 
more vigilant in relation to the intercourse between her charge 
and the two agreeable young men whom accident had given 
them as fellow-passengers. After a short but musing pause, she 
again adverted to the subject of their previous conversation. 

“ Ce Monsieur Dodge^ est-il ridicule /” 

“ On that point at least, my dear mademoiselle, there can be 
no mistake. And yet cousin Jack insists that this stuff will be 
given to his readers, as views of Europe worthy of their atten- 
tion.” 

“ Ce conte du roi ! — mais^ dest trop fort /” 

“ With the coat laced at the seams, and the cocked hat !” 

“ Et V honorable Louis Philippe d* Orleans /” 

“ Orleans, mademoiselle ; d’Orleans would be anti-republican.” 
Then the two ladies sat looking at each other a few moments 
in silence, when both, although of a proper retenue of manner 
in general, burst into a hearty and long-continued fit of laugh- 
ter. Indeed, so long did Eve, in the buoyancy of her young 
spirits, and her keen perception of the ludicrous, indulge her- 
self, that her hair fell about her rosy cheeks, and her bright 
eyes fairly danced with delight. 


HOMEWARD BOUND, 


223 


CHAPTER XVI. 

“ And there he went ashore without delay, 

Having no custom-house or quarantine, — 

To ask him awkward questions on the way 
About the time and place where ho had been.” 

Byeon. 

Captain Truck was in a sound sleep as soon as his head 
touched the pillow. With the exception of the ladies, the oth- 
ers soon followed his example ; and as the people were exces- 
sively wearied, and the night was so tranquil, ere long only a 
single pair of eyes were open on deck : those of the man at 
the wheel. The wind died away, and even this worthy was 
not innocent of nodding at his post. 

Under such circumstances, it will occasion no great surprise 
that the cabin was aroused next morning with the sudden and 
startling information that the land was close aboard the ship. 
Every one hurried on deck, where, sure enough, the dreaded 
coast of Africa was seen, with a palpable distinctness, within 
two miles of the vessel. It presented a long broken line of 
sand-hills, unrelieved by a tree, or by so few as almost to merit 
this description, and with a hazy background of remote moun- 
tains to the northeast. The margin of the actual coast nearest 
to the ship was indented with bays ; and even rocks appeared 
in places ; but the general character of the scene was that of a 
fierce and burning sterility. On this picture of desolation all 
stood gazing in awe and admiration for some minutes, as the 
day gradually brightened, until a cry arose from forward, of “a 
ship !” 

“ Whereaway ?” sternly demanded Captain Truck ; for the 
sudden and unexpected appearance of this dangerous coast had 


224 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


awakened all that was forbidding and severe in the tempera- 
ment of the old master ; “ whereaway, sir ?” 

“ On the larboard quarter, sir, and at anchor.” 

“ She is ashore !” exclaimed half-a-dozen voices at the same 
instant, just as the words came from the last speaker. The 
glass soon settled this important point. At the distance of 
about a league astern of them were, indeed, to be seen the 
spars of a ship, with the hull looming on the sands, in a way to 
leave no doubt of her being a wreck. It was the first impres- 
sion of all, that this, at last, was the Foam ; but Captain Truck 
soon announced to the contrary. 

“It is a Swede, or a Dane,” he said, “by his rig and his 
model. A stout, solid, compact sea-boat, that is high and dry 
on the sands, looking as if he had been built there. He does 
not appear even to have bilged, and most, of his sails, and all 
of his yards, are in their places. Not a living soul is to be 
seen about her ! Ha ! there are signs of tents made of sails on 
shore, and broken bales of goods ! Her people have been 
seized and carried into the desert, as usual, and this is a fearful 
hint that we must keep the Montauk oflf the bottom. Turn-to 
the people, Mr. Leach, and get up your sheers that we may 
step our jury-masts at once ; the smallest breeze on the land 
would drive us ashore, without any after-sail.” 

While the mates and the crew set about completing the 
work they had prepared the previous day. Captain Truck and 
his passengers passed the time in ascertaining all they could 
concerning the wreck, and the reasons of their being them- 
selves in a position so very different from what they had pre- 
viously believed. 

As respects the first, little more could be ascertained ; she lay 
absolutely high and dry on a hard sandy beach, where she had 
probably been cast during the late gale, and sufficient signs 
were made out by the captain, to prove to him that she had 
been partly plundered. More than this could not be discov- 
ered at that distance, and the work of the Montauk was too 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


225 


urgent to send a boat manned with her own people to examine. 
Mr. Blunt, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Monday, and the servants of the two 
former, however, volunteering to pull the cutter, it was finally 
decided to look more closely into the facts. Captain Truck him- 
self taking charge of the expedition. While the latter is get- 
ting ready, a word of explanation will sufl[ice to tell the reader 
the reason why the Montauk had fallen so much to leeward. 

The ship being so near the coast, it became now very obvi- 
ous she was driven by a current that set along the land, but 
which it was probable, had set towards it more in the offing. 
The imperceptible drift between the observation of the previous 
day and the discovery of the coast, had sufficed to carry the 
vessel a great distance ; and to this simple cause, coupled per- 
haps with some neglect in the steerage during the past night, 
was her present situation to be solely attributed. Just at this mo- 
ment, the little air there was came from the land, and by keep- 
ing her head off shore. Captain Truck entertained no doubt of 
his being able to escape the calamity that had befallen the 
other ship in the fury of the gale. A wreck is always a matter 
of so much interest with mariners, therefore, that taking all 
these things into view, he had come to the determination we 
have mentioned, of examining into the history of the one in 
sight, so far as circumstances permitted. 

The Montauk car ried three boats ; the launch, a large, safe, 
and well-constructed craft, which stood in the usual chucks be- 
tween the foremast and mainmast ; a jolly-boat, and a cutter. 
It was next to^ impossible to get the first into the water, de- 
prived as the ship was of its mainmast ; but the other hanging 
at davits, one on each quarter, were easily lowered. The packets 
seldom carry any arms beyond a light gun to fire signals with, 
the pistols of the master, and perhaps a fowling-piece or two. 
Luckily the passengers were better provided : all the gentlemen 
had pistols, Mr. Monday and Mr. Dodge excepted, if indeed they 
properly belonged to this category, as Captain Truck would say^ 
and most of them had also fowling-pieces. Although a careful 

10 ^ 


226 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


examiDation of tlie coast with the glasses offered no signs of the 
presence of any danger from enemies, these arms were carefully 
collected, loaded, and deposited in the boats, in order to be pre- 
pared for the worst. Provisions and water were also provided, 
and the party were about to proceed. 

Captain Truck and one or two of the adventurers were still 
on the deck, when Eve, with that strange love of excitement 
and adventure that often visits the most delicate spirits, ex- 
pressed an idle regret that she could not make one in the ex- 
pedition. 

“ There is something so strange and wild in landing on an 
African desert,” she said ; “ and I think a nearer view of the 
wreck would repay us, mademoiselle, for the hazard.” 

The young men hesitated between their desire to have such 
a companion, and their doubts of the prudence of the step ; but 
Captain Truck declared there could be no risk, and Mr. Effing- 
ham consenting, the whole plan was altered so as to include 
the ladies ; for there was so much pleasure in varying the mo- 
notony of a calm, and escaping the confinement of ship, that 
everybody entered into the new arrangement with zeal and 
spirit. 

A single whip was rigged on the fore-yard, a chair was slung, 
and in ten minutes both ladies were floating on the ocean in 
the cutter. This boat pulled six oars, which were manned by 
the servants of the two Messrs. Effinghams, Mr. Blunt, and Mr. 
Sharp, together with the two latter gentlemen in person. Mr. 
Effingham steered. Captain Truck had the jollyrboat, of which 
he pulled an oar himself, aided by Saunders, Mr. Monday, and 
Sir George Templemore ; the mates and the regular crew be- 
ing actively engaged in rigging their jury-mast. Mr. Dodge 
declined being of the party, feeding himself with the hope that 
the present would be a favorable occasion to peep into the state- 
rooms, to run his eye over forgotten letters and papers, and 
otherwise to increase the general stock of information of the 
editor of the Active Inquirer. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


22'7 


“ Look to your chains, and see all clear for a run of the an- 
chors, Mr. Leach, should you set within a mile of the shore,” 
called out the captain, as they pulled off from the vessel’s side. 
“ The ship is drifting along the land, but the wind you have 
will hardly do more than meet the send of the sea, which is on 
shore : should any thing go wrong, show an ensign at the head 
of the jury-stick forward.” 

The mate waved his hand, and the adventurers passed with- 
out the sound of the voice. It was a strange sensation to most 
of those in the boats, to find themselves in their present situa- 
tion. Eve and Mademoiselle Viefville, in particular, could 
scarcely credit their senses, when they found the egg-shells 
that held them heaving and setting like bubbles on those long 
sluggish swells, which had seemed of so little consequence 
while in the ship, but which now resembled the heavy respira- 
tions of a leviathan. The boats, indeed, though always gliding 
onward, impelled by the oars, appeared at moments to be sent 
helplessly back and forth, like playthings of the mighty deep, 
and it was some minutes before either obtained a sufficient sense 
of security to enjoy her situation. As they receded from the 
Montauk, too, their situation seemed still more critical ; and with 
all her sex’s love of excitement. Eve heartily repented of her un- 
dertaking before they had gone a mile. The gentlemen, how- 
ever, were all in good ^irits, and as the boats kept near each 
other. Captain Truck enlivening their way with his peculiar wit, 
and Mr. Effingham, who was infiuenced by a motive of humanity 
in consenting to come, being earnest and interested. Eve soon 
began to entertain other ideas. 

As they drew near the end of their little expedition, entirely 
new feelings got the mastery of the whole party. The solitary 
and gloomy grandeur of the coast, the sublime sterility, — for 
even naked sands may become sublime by their vastness, — the 
heavy meanings of the ocean on the beach, and the entire spec- 
tacle of the solitude, blended as it was with the associations of 
Africa, time, and the changes of history, united to produce sen- 


228 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


sations of a pleasing melancholy. The spectacle of the ship, 
bringing with it the images of European civilization, as it lay 
helpless and deserted on the sands, too, heightened all. 

This vessel, beyond a question, had been driven up on a sea 
during the late gale, at a point where the water was of suflScient 
depth to float her, until within a few yards of the very spot where 
she now lay ; Captain Truck giving the following probable his- 
tory of the afi'air : 

“ On all sandy coasts,” he said, “ the return waves that are 
cast on the beach form a bar, by washing back with them a 
portion of the particles. This bar is usually within thirty or 
forty fathoms of the shore, and there is frequently sufficient 
water within it to float a ship. As this bar, however, prevents 
the return of all the water, on what is called the under-tow, 
narrow channels make from point to point, through which this 
excess of the element escapes. These channels are known by 
the appearance of the water over them, the seas breaking less 
at those particular places than in the spots where the bottom 
lies nearer to the surface, and all experienced mariners are aware 
of the fact. No doubt, the unfortunate master of this ship, 
finding himself reduced to the necessity of running ashore to 
save the lives of his crew, has chosen such a place, and has con- 
sequently forced his vessel up to a spot where she has remained 
dry as soon as the sea fell. So worthy a fellow deserved a bet- 
ter fate ; for this wreck is not three days old, and yet no signs 
are to be seen of any who were in that stout ship.” 

These remarks were made as the crew of the two boats lay 
on their oars, at a short distance without the line on the water, 
where the breaking of the sea pointed out the position of the 
bar. The channel, also, was plainly visible directly astern of 
the ship, the sea merely rising and falling in it without comb- 
ing. A short distance to the southward, a few bold black rocks 
thrust themselves forward, and formed a sort of bay, in which 
it was practicable to land without risk ; for they had come on 
the coast in a region where the monotony of the sands, as it 


HOME W A R D BOUND. 


229 


appeared when close in, was little relieved by the presence of 
any thing else. 

“ If you will keep the cutter just without the breakers, Mr. 
Effingham,” Captain Truck continued, after standing up a while 
and examining the shore, “ I will pull into the channel, and 
land in yonder bay. If you feel disposed to follow, you 
may do so by giving the tiller to Mr. Blunt, on receiving a 
signal to that effect from me. Be steady, gentlemen, at your 
oars, and look well to the arms on landing, for we are in a 
knavish part of the world. Should any of the monkeys or 
orang-outangs claim kindred with Mr. Saunders, we may find 
it no easy matter to persuade them to leave us the pleasure of 
his society.” 

The captain made a sign, and the jolly-boat entered the chan- 
nel. Inclining south, it was seen rising and falling just within 
the breakers, and then it was hid by the rocks. In another 
minute, Mr. Truck, followed by all but Mr. Monday, who stood 
sentinel at the boat, was on the rocks, making his way towards 
the wreck. On reaching the latter, he ascended swiftly even to 
the main cross-trees. Here a long examination of the plain, 
beyond the bank that hid it from the view of all beneath, suc- 
ceeded, and then the signal to come on was made to those who 
were still in the boat. 

“ Shall we venture ?” cried Paul Blunt, soliciting an assent by 
the very manner in which he put the question. 

“ What say you, dear father ?” 

“ I hope we may not yet be too late to succor some Christian 
in distress, my child. Take the tiller, Mr. Blunt, and in 
Heaven’s good name, and for humanity’s sake, let us proceed !” 

The boat advanced, Paul Blunt standing erect to steer, his 
ardor to proceed corrected by apprehensions on account of her 
precious freight. There was an instant when the ladies trem- 
bled, for it seemed as if the light boat was about to be cast 
upon the shore, like the froth of the sea that shot past them ; 
but the steady hand of him who steered averted the danger, 


230 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


and in anotlier minute they were floating at the side of the 
jolly-boat. The ladies got ashore without much diflaculty, and 
stood on the summit of the rock. 

“ Nous void donc^ en Afrique'"’ exclaimed Mademoiselle Vief- 
ville, with that sensation of singularity that comes over all 
when they first find themselves in situations of extraordinary 
novelty. 

“ The wreck — the wreck,” murmured Eve ; “ let us go to the 
wreck. There may be yet a hope of saving some wretched 
sufferer.” 

Towards the wreck they all proceeded, after leaving two of 
the servants to relieve Mr. Monday on his watch. 

It was an impressive thing to stand at the side of a ship on 
the sands of Africa, a scene in which the desolation of an aban- 
doned vessel was heightened by the desolation of a desert. 
The position of the vessel, which stood nearly erect, imbedded 
in the sands, rendered it less difficult than might be supposed 
for the ladies to ascend to, and to walk her decks, a rude sta- 
ging having, been made already to facilitate the passage. Here 
the scene became thrice exciting, for it was the very type of a 
hastily deserted and cherished dwelling. 

Before Eve and Mademoiselle Viefville gained the deck, the 
other party had ascertained that no living soul remained. The 
trunks, chests, furniture, and other appliances of the cabin, 
had been rummaged, and many boxes had been raised from 
the hold, and plundered, a part of their contents still lying 
scattered on the decks. The ship, however, had been lightly 
freighted, and the bulk of her cargo, which was salt, was ap- 
parently untouched. A Danish ensign was found bent to the 
halyards, a proof that Captain Truck’s original conjecture con- 
cerning the character of the vessel was accurate. Her name, 
too, was ascertained to be the Carrier, as translated into Eng- 
lish, and she belonged to Copenhagen. More than this it was 
not easy to ascertain. No papers were found, and her cargo, or 
as much of it as remained, was so mixed and miscellaneous, as 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


231 


Saunders called it, that no plausible guess could be given as to 
the port where it had been taken in, if indeed it had all been 
received on board at the same place. 

Several of the light sails had evidently been carried off, but 
all the heavy canvas was left on the yards, which remained in 
their places. The vessel was large, exceedingly strong, as was 
proved by the fact that she had not bilged in breaching, and 
apparently well found. Nothing was wanting to launch her 
into the ocean but machinery and force, and a crew to sail her, 
when she might have proceeded on her voyage as if nothing 
unusual had occurred. But such a restoration was hopeless, 
and this admirable machine, like a man cut off in his youth 
and vigor, had been cast upon the shores of this inhospitable 
region, to moulder where it lay, unless broken up for the wood 
and iron by the wanderers of the desert. 

There was no object more likely to awaken melancholy ideas 
in a mind resembling that of Captain Truck’s, than a spectacle 
of this nature. A fine ship, complete in nearly all her parts, 
virtually uninjured, and yet beyond the chance of further use- 
fulness, in his eyes was a picture of the most cruel loss. He 
cared less for the money it had cost than for the qualities and 
properties that were thus destroyed. 

He examined the bottom, which he pronounced capital for 
stowing, and excellent as that of a sea-boat ; he admired the 
fastenings ; applied his knife to try the quality of the wood, 
and pronounced the Norway pine of the spars to be almost 
equal to any thing that could be found in our own southern 
woods. The rigging, too, he regarded as one loves to linger 
over the regretted qualities of a deceased friend. 

The tracks of camels and horses were abundant on the sands 
around the ship, and especially at the bottom of the rude sta- 
ging by which the party had ascended, and which had evidently 
been hastily made in order to carry articles from the vessel to 
the backs of the animals that were to bear them into the desert. 
The foot-prints of men were also to be seen, and there was a 


232 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


startling and mournful certainty in distinguishing the marks of 
shoes, as well as those of the naked foot. 

Judging from all these signs, Captain Truck was of opinion 
the wreck must have taken place but two or three days before, 
and that the plunderers had not left the spot many hours. 

“ They probably went off with what they could carry at 
sunset last evening ; and there can be no doubt that be- 
fore many days, they, or others in their place, will be back 
again. God protect the poor fellows who have fallen into 
this miserable bondage ! What an occasion would there now 
be to rescue one of them, should he happen to be hid near 
this spot !” 

The idea seized the whole party at once, and all eagerly 
turned to examine the high bank, which rose nearly to the 
summit of the masts, in the hope of discovering some con- 
cealed fugitive. The gentlemen went below again, and Mr. 
Sharp and Mr. Blunt called out in German, and English, and 
French, to invite any one who might be secreted to come forth. 
No sound answered these friendly calls. Again Captain Truck 
went aloft to look into the interior, but he beheld nothing more 
than the broad and unpeopled desert. 

A place where the camels had descended to the beach was 
at no great distance, and thither most of the party proceeded, 
mounting to the level of the plain beyond. In this little ex- 
pedition Paul Blunt led the advance, and as he rose over the 
brow of the bank, he cocked both barrels of his fowling-piece, 
uncertain what might be encountered. They found, however, 
a silent waste, almost without vegetation, and nearly as track- 
less as the ocean that lay beyond them. At the distance of a 
hundred rods, an object was just discernible, lying on the 
plain half-buried in sand, and thither the young men expressed 
a wish to go, first calling to those in the ship to send a man 
aloft to give the alarm, in the event of any party of the Mussul- 
mans being seen. Mr. Effingham, too, on being told their inten- 
tion, had the precaution to cause Eve and Mademoiselle Vief- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


233 


ville to get into the cutter, which he manned, and caused to 
pull out over the bar, where she lay waiting the issue. 

A camel’s path, of which the tracks were nearly obliterated 
by the sands, led to the object ; and after toiling aloug it, the 
adventurers soon reached the desired spot. It proved to be 
the body of a man who had died by violence. His dress and 
person denoted that of a passenger rather than that of a sea- 
man, and he had evidently been dead but a very few hours, 
probably not twelve. The cut of a sabre had cleft his skull. 
Agreeing not to acquaint the ladies with this horrible discovery, 
the body was hastily covered with the sand, the pockets of the 
dead man having been first examined ; for, contrary to usage, 
his person had not been stripped. A letter was found, written 
by a wife to her husband, and nothing more. It was in German, 
and its expressions and contents, though simple were endearing 
and natural. It spoke of the traveller’s return ; for she who 
wrote it little thought of the miserable fate that awaited her 
beloved in this remote desert. 

As nothing else was visible, the party returned hastily to 
the beach, where they found that Captain Truck had ended 
his investigation, and was impatient to return. In the interest 
of the scene, the Montauk had disappeared behind a headland, 
towards which she had been drifting when they left her. Her 
absence created a general sense of loneliness, and the whole 
party hastened into the jolly-boat, as if fearful of being left. 
When without the bar again, the cutter -took in her proper 
crew, and the boats pulled away, leaving the Dane standing 
on the beach in his solitary desolation — a monument of his own 
disaster. 

As they got further from the land the Montauk came in 
sight again, and Captain Truck announced the agreeable intel- 
ligence that the jury mainmast was up, and that the ship had 
after-sail set, diminutive and defective as it might be. Instead 
of heading to the southward, however, as heretofore, Mr. Leach 
was apparently endeavoring to get back again to the north- 


J 


234 HOMEWARD BOUND. 

ward of the headland that had shut in the ship, or was trying 
to retrace his steps. Mr. Truck rightly judged that this was 
proof his mate disliked the appearance of the coast astern of 
him, and that he was anxious to get an oflBng. The captain in 
consequence urged his men to row, and in little more than an 
hour the whole party were on the deck of the Montauk again, 
and the boats were hanging at the davits. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


235 


CHAPTER XVII. 

“I boarded the king’s ship; now on the beak, 

Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, 

I flam’d amazement.” 

Tempest. 

If Captain Truck distrusted the situation of his own ship 
when he saw that the mate had changed her course, he liked 
it still less after he was on hoard, and had an opportunity to 
form a more correct judgment. The current had set the vessel 
not only to the southward, but in-shore, and the send of the 
ground-swell was gradually, but inevitably, heaving her in to- 
wards the land. At this point the coast was more broken than 
at the spot where the Dane had been wrecked, some signs of 
trees appearing, and rocks running off in irregular reefs into the 
sea. More to the south, these rocks were seen without the 
ship, while directly astern they were not half a mile distant. 
Still the wind was favorable, though light and baffling, and 
Mr. Leach had got up every stitch of canvas that circumstances 
would at all allow ; the lead, too, had been tried, and the bot- 
tom was found to be a hard sand mixed with rocks, and the 
depth of the water such as to admit of anchoring. It was a 
sign that Captain Truck did not absolutely despair after ascer- 
taining all these facts, that he caused Mr. Saunders to be sum- 
moned ; for as yet, none of those who had been in the boats 
had breakfasted. 

“ Step this way, Mr. Steward,” said the captain ; “ and report 
the state of the coppers. You were rummaging, as usual, 
among the lockers of yonder unhappy Dane, and I desire to 


236 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


know what discoveries you have made ! You will please to 
recollect, that on all public expeditions of this nature, there 
must be no peculation or private journal kept. Did you see 
any stock-fish ?” 

“ Sir, I should deem this ship disgraced by the admission into 
her pantry of such an article, sir. We have tongues and sounds 
in plenty. Captain Truck, and no gentleman that has such diet, 
need ambition a stock-fish !” 

“ I am not quite of your way of thinking ; but the earth is 
not made of stock-fish ! Did you happen to fall in with any 
butter?” 

“ Some, sir, that is scarcely fit to slush a mast with, and I do 
think, one of the most atrocious cheeses, sir, it was ever my bad 
fortune to meet with. I do not wonder the Africans left the 
wreck.” 

“You followed their example, of course, Mr. Saunders, and 
left the cheese.” 

“ I followed my own judgment, sir, for I would not stay in a 
ship with such a cheese. Captain Truck, sir, even to have the 
honor of serving under so great a commander as yourself. I 
think it no wonder that vessel was wrecked ! Even the sharks 
would abandon her. The very thoughts of her impurities, sir, 
make me feel unsettled in the stomach.” 

The captain nodded his head in approbation of this senti- 
ment, called for a coal, and then ordered breakfast. The meal 
was silent, thoughtful, and even sad ; every one was thinking 
of the poor Danes and their sad fate, while they who had been 
on the plain had the additional subject of the murdered man 
for their contemplation. 

“ Is it possible to do nothing to redeem these poor people, 
father, from captivity ?” Eve at length demanded. 

“ I have been thinking of this, my child ; but I see no other 
method than to acquaint their government of their situation.” 

“Might we not contribute something from our own means to 
that effect ? Money, I fancy, is the chief thing necessary.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


237 


The gentlemen looked at each other in approbation, though 
a reluctance to be the first to speak kept most of them silent. 

“ If a hundred pounds, Miss Effingham, will be useful,” Sir 
George Templemore said, after the pause had continued an 
awkward minute, laying a banknote of that amount on the 
table, “ and you will honor us by becoming the keeper of the 
redemption money, I have great pleasure in making the oflfer.” 

This was handsomely said, and as Captain Truck afterwards 
declared, handsomely done too, though it was a little abrupt, 
and caused Eve to hesitate and redden. 

“ I shall accept your gift, sir,” she said ; “ and with your per- 
mission will transfer it to Mr. Effingham, who will better know 
what use to put it to, in order to effect our benevolent purpose. 
I think I can answer for as much more from himself.” 

“ You may, with certainty, my dear — and twice as much, if 
necessary. John, this is a proper occasion for your interfer- 
ence.” 

“Put me down at what you please,” said John Effingham, 
whose charities in a pecuniary sense were as unlimited, as in 
feeling they were apparently restrained. “ One hundred or one 
thousand, to rescue that poor crew !” 

“ I believe, sir, we must all follow so good an example,” Mr. 
Sharp observed ; “ and I sincerely hope that this scheme will 
not prove useless. I think it may be effected by means of some 
of the public agents at Mogadore.” 

Mr. Dodge raised many objections, for it really exceeded his 
means to give so largely, and his character was formed in a 
school too envious and jealous to confess an inferiority on a 
point even as worthless as that of money. Indeed, he had so 
long been accustomed to maintain that “ one man was as good 
as another,” in opposition to his senses, that, like most of those 
who belong to this impracticable school, he had tacitly admit- 
ted in his own mind, the general and vulgar ascendency of 
mere wealth ; and, quite as a matter of course, he was averse 
to confessing his own inferiority on a point that he had made 


238 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


to be all in all, while loudest in declaiming against any infeiiori- 
ty whatever. He walked out of the cabin, therefore, with strong 
heart-burnings and jealousies, because others had presumed to 
give that which it was not really in his power to bestow. 

On the other hand, both Mademoiselle Viefville and Mr. 
Monday manifested the superiority of the opinions in which 
they had been trained. The first quietly handed a Napoleon 
to Mr. Effingham, who took it with as much attention and 
politeness as he received any of the larger contributions ; while 
the latter produced a five-pound note, with a hearty good-will 
that redeemed the sin of many a glass of punch in the eyes of 
his companions. 

Eve did not dare to look towards Paul Blunt, while this col- 
lection was making ; but she felt regret that he did not join in 
it. He was silent and thoughtful, and even seemed pained, 
and she wondered if it were possible that one, who certainly 
lived in a style to prove that his income was large, could be so 
thoughtless as to have deprived himself of the means of doing 
that which he so evidently desired to do. But most of the 
company was too well-bred to permit the matter to become the 
subject of conversation, and they soon rose from table in a 
body. The mind of Eve, however, was greatly relieved when 
her father told her that the young man had put a hundred 
sovereigns in gold into his hands as soon as possible, and that 
he had seconded this offering with another, of embarking for 
Mogadore in person, should they get into the Cape de Verds, 
or the Canaries, with a view of carrying out the charitable plan 
with the least delay. 

“ He is a noble-hearted young man,” said the pleased father, 
as he communicated this fact to his daughter and cousin ; “ and 
I shall not object to the plan.” 

“ If he offer to quit this ship one minute sooner than is neces- 
sary, he does, indeed, deserve a statue of gold,” said John 
Effingham ; “ for it has all that can attract a young man like 
him, and all too that can awaken his jealousy.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


239 


“ Cousin Jack !” exclaimed Eve reproachfully, quite thrown 
off her guard by the abruptness and plainness of this language. 

The quiet smile of Mr. Effingham proved that he understood 
both, but he made no remark. Eve instantly recovered her 
spirits, and angry at herself for the girlish exclamation that had 
escaped -her, she turned on her assailant. “ I do not know that 
I ought to be seen in an aside with Mr. John Effingham,” she 
said, “ even when it is sanctioned with the presence of my own 
father.” 

“ And may I ask why so much sudden reserve, my offended 
beauty ?” 

“ Merely that the report is already active, concerning the 
delicate relation in which we stand towards each other.” 

John Effingham looked surprised, but he suppressed his cu- 
riosity from a long habit of affecting an indifference he did not 
always feel. The father was less dignified, for he quietly de- 
manded an explanation. 

“ It would seem,” returned Eve, assuming a solemnity suited 
to a matter of interest, “ that our secret is discovered. While 
we were indulging our curiosity about this unfortunate ship, 
Mr. Dodge was gratifying the laudable industry of the Active 
Inquirer, by prying into pur staterooms.” 

“ This meanness is impossible !” exclaimed Mr. Effingham. 

“ Nay,” said John, “ no meanness is impossible to a dema- 
gogue — a pretender to things of which he has even no just 
conception — a man who lives to envy and traduce ; in a word, 
a quasi gentleman. Let us hear what Eve has to say.” 

“ My information is from Ann Sidley, who saw him in the 
act. Now the kind letter you wrote my father, cousin Jack, 
just before we left London, and which you wrote because you 
would not trust that honest tongue of yours to speak the feel- 
ings of that honest heart, is the subject of my daily study ; not 
on account of its promises, you will believe me, but on account 
of the strong affection it displays to a girl who is not worthy 
of one half you feel and do for her.” 


240 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Pshaw !” 

“ Well, let it then be pshaw ! I had read that letter this 
very morning, and carelessly left it on my table. This letter 
Mr. Dodge, in his undying desire to lay every thing before the 
public, as becomes his high vocation, and as in duty bound, 
has read ; and misconstruing some of the phrases, as will some- 
times happen to a zealous circulator of news, he has drawn the 
conclusion that I am to be made a happy woman as soon as 
we reach America, by being converted from Miss Eve Effingham 
into Mrs. John Effingham.” 

“ Impossible ! No man can be such a fool, or quite so great 
a miscreant !” 

“ I should rather think, my child,” added the milder father, 
“ that injustice has been done Mr. Dodge. No person, in the 
least approximating to the station of a gentleman, could even 
think of an act so base as this you mention.” 

“ Oh ! if this be all your objection to the tale,” observed the 
cousin, “ I am ready to swear to its truth. But Eve has caught 
a little of Captain Truck’s spirit of mystifying, and is determined 
to make a character by a bold stroke in the beginning. She is 
clever, and in time may rise to be a quiz.” 

“ Thank you for the compliment, cousin Jack, which, however, 
I am forced to disclaim, as I never was more serious in my life. 
That the letter was read, Nanny, who is truth itself, affirms she 
saw. That Mr. Dodge has since been industriously circulating 
the report of my great good fortune, she has heard from the 
mate, who had it from the highest source of information direct ; 
and that such a man would be likely to come to such a con- 
clusion, you have only to recall the terms of the letter yourself, 
to believe.” 

“There is nothing in my letter to justify any notion so 
silly.” 

“ An Active Inquirer might make discoveries you little dream 
of, dear cousin Jack. You speak of its being time to cease 
roving, of settling yourself at last, of never parting, and, prodi- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


241 


gal as you are, of making Eve the future mistress of your for 
tune. Now to all this, recreant, confess, or I shall never again 
put faith in man.” ° 

John Effingham made no amwer, but the father warmly 
expressed his indignation, that any of the smallest preten- 
sions to be admitted among gentlemen, .i,ould be guilty of an 
act so base. 

“We can hardly tolerate his presence, John, almost 

a matter of conscience to send him to Coventry.” 

“ If you entertain such notions of decorum, your wise^ 
Edward, will be to return to the place whence you have con// 
for, trust me, you will find scores of such gentlemen where you 
are going !” 

“ I shall not allow you to persuade me I know my own coun- 
try so little. Conduct like this will stamp a man with disgrace 
in America as well as elsewhere.” 

“ Conduct like this would, but it will no longer. The pell-mell 
that rages has brought honorable men into a sad minority, and 
even Mr. Dodge will tell you the majority must rule. Were he 
to publish my letter, a large portion of his readers would fancy 
he was merely asserting the liberty of the press. Heavens save 
us ! You have been dreaming abroad, Ned EfiSngham, while 
your country has retrograded, in all that is respectable and 
good, a century in a dozen years 1” 

As this was the usual language of John Eflingham, neither 
of his listeners thought much of it, though Mr. Effingham 
more decidedly expressed an intention to cut off even the slight 
communication with the offender he had permitted himself to 
keep up since they had been on board. 

“ Think better of it, dear father,” said Eve ; “ for such a man 
is scarcely worthy of even your resentment. He is too much 
vour inferior in principles, manners, character, station, and 
every thing else, to render him of so much account ; and then, 
were we to clear up this masquerade into which the chances 
of a ship have thrown us, we might have our scruples con- 

11 


242 


homeward bound. 

cerning others, ae well as concerning this wdlf in sheep’s 

clothing.” . ^ ^ ^ „ 

“ Say rather an ass, shaved and painted to resemble a zebra, 

muttered John. “ The fellow ias no property as respectable as 

the basest virtue of a wolf’ 

“ He has at least rapacity.” 

“ And can howl - » This much, then, I will concede 

to ou • but I either punish him 

affirmativeh Polling, his ears, or treat him with contempt, 
which uegative or silent. I wish he had entered the 

^t,,.uioom of that fine young fellow, Paul Blunt, who is of an 
age and a spirit to give him a lesson that might make a 
paragraph for his Active Inquirer, if not a scissors’ extract of 
himself.” 

Eve knew that the offender had been there too, but she had 
too much prudence to betray him. 

“ This will only so much the more oblige him,” she said, 
laughingly, “ for Mr. Blunt, in speaking of the editor of the 
Active Inquirer, said that he had the failing to believe that this 
earth, and all it contained, was created . merely to furnish ma- 
terials for newspaper paragraphs.” 

The gentlemen laughed with the amused Eve, and Mr. Effing- 
ham remarked, that “ there did seem to be men so perfectly 
selfish, so much devoted to their own interests, and so little 
sensible of the rights and feelings of others, as to manifest a 
desire to render the press superior to all other power ; not,” he 
concluded, “ in the way of argument, or as an agent of reason, 
but as a master, coarse, corrupt, tyrannical, and vile ; the instru- 
ment of selfishness, instead of the right, and when not employed 
as the promoter of personal interests, to be employed as the 
tool of personal passions.” 

“Your father will become a convert to my opinions. Miss 
Effingham,” said John, and he will not be home a twelve- 
month before he will make the discovery that the government 
is a press-ocracy, and its n^inisters, self-chosen and usurpers, 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


243 


composed of those who have the least at stake, even as to 
character.” 

Mr. Effingham shook his head in dissent, but the conversation 
changed in consequence of a stir in the ship. The air from 
the land had freshened, and even the heavy canvas on which 
the Montauk was now compelled principally to rely, had been 
asleep, as mariners term it, or had blown out from the mast, 
where it stood inflated and steady, a proof at sea, where the 
water is always in motion, that the breeze is getting to be 
fresh. Aided by this power, the ship had overcome the united 
action of the heavy groundswell and of the current, and was 
stealing out from under the land, when the air murmured for 
an instant, as if about to blow still fresher, and then all the sails 
flapped. The wind had passed away like a bird, and a dark 
line to seaward denoted the approach of the breeze from the 
ocean. The stir in the vessel was occasioned by the prepara- 
tions to meet this change. 

The new wind brought little with it beyond the general dan- 
ger of blowing on shore. The breeze was light, and not more 
than sufficient to force the vessel through the water, in her 
present condition, a mile and a half in the hour, and this too 
in a line nearly parallel with the coast. Captain Truck saw, 
therefore, at a glance, that he should be compelled to anchor. 
Previously, however, to doing this, he had a long talk with his 
mates, and a boat was lowered. 

The lead was cast, and the bottom was found to be still good, 
though a hard sand, which is not the best holding-ground. 

“ A heavy sea would cause the ship to drag,” Captain Truck 
remarked, “ should it come on to blow, and the lines of dark 
rocks astern of them would make chips of the Pennsylvania in 
an hour, were that great ship to lie on it.” 

He entered the boat, and pulled along the reefs to examine 
an inlet that Mr. Leach reported to have been seen, before he 
got the ship’s head to the northward. Could an entrance be 
found at this point, the vessel might possibly be carried within 


244 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the reef, and a favorite scheme of the captain’s could be put in 
force, one to which he now attached the highest importance. 
A mile brought the boat up to the inlet, where Mr. Truck found 
the following appearances : The general formation of the coast 
in sight was that of a slight curvature, within which the ship 
had so far drifted as to be materially inside a line drawn from 
headland to headland. There was, consequently, little hope of 
urging a vessel, crippled like the Montauk, against wind, sea, 
and current, out again into the ocean. For about a league 
abreast of the ship the coast was rocky, though low, the rocks 
running off from the shore quite a mile in places, and every- 
where fully half that distance. The formation was irregular, 
but it had the general character of a reef, the position of which 
was marked by breakers, as well as by the black heads of rocks 
that here and there showed themselves above the water. The 
inlet was narrow, crooked, and so far environed by rocks as to 
render it questionable whether there was a passage at all, though 
the smoothness of the water had raised hopes to that effect in 
Mr. Leach. 

As soon as Captain Truck arrived at the mouth of this pas- 
sage, he felt so much encouraged by the appearance of things, 
that he gave the concerted signal for the ship to veer round 
and to stand to the southward. This was losing ground in the 
way of offing, but tack the Montauk could not with so little 
wind, and the captain saw by the drift she had made since he 
left her, that promptitude was necessary. The ship might 
anchor off the inlet, as well as anywhere else, if reduced to 
anchoring outside at all, and then there was always the chance 
of entering. 

As soon as the ship’s head was again to the southward, and 
Captain Truck felt certain that she was lying along the reef at 
a reasonably safe distance, and in as good a direction as he 
could hope for, he commenced his examination. Like a dis- 
creet seaman, he pulled off from the rocks to a suitable dis- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


245 


tance, for should an obstacle occur outside, he well knew any 
depth of water further in would be useless. The day was so 
fine, and in the absence of rivers, the ocean so limpid in that 
low latitude, that it was easy to see the bottom at a consider- 
able depth. But to this sense, of course, the captain did not 
trust, for he kept the lead going constantly, although all eyes 
were also employed in searching for rocks. 

The first cast of the lead was in five fathoms, and these 
soundings were held nearly up to the inlet, where the lead 
struck a rock in three fathoms and a half. At this point, then, 
a more careful examination was made ; but three and a half 
was the shallowest cast. As the Montauk drew nearly a fathom 
less than this, the cautious old master proceeded closer in. 
Directly in the mouth of the inlet was a large flat rock, that 
rose nearly to the surface of the sea, and which, when the tide 
was low, was probably bare. This rock Captain Ti’uck at first 
believed would defeat his hopes of success, which by this time 
were strong ; but a closer examination showed him that on 
one side of it was a narrow passage, just wide enough to admit 
a ship. 

From this spot the channel became crooked, but it was suffi- 
ciently marked by the ripple on the reef ; and after a careful 
investigation, he found it was possible to carry three fathoms 
quite within the reef, where a large space existed that was 
gradually filling up with sand, but which was nearly all covered 
with water when the tide was in, as was now the case, and 
which had channels, as usual, between the banks. Following 
one of these channels a quarter of a mile, he found a basin of 
four fathoms of water, large enough to take a ship in, and, for- 
tunately, it was in close proximity to a portion of the reef that 
was always bare, when a heavy sea was not beating over it. 
Here he dropped a buoy, for he had come provided with several 
fragments of spars for this purpose ; and, on his return, the 
channel was similarly marked off, at all the critical points. On 


246 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the flat rock, in the inlet, one of the men was left, standing 
up to his waist in the water, it being certain that the tide 
was falling. 

The boat now returned to the ship, which it met at the dis- 
tance of half a mile from the inlet. The«current setting south- 
wardly, her progress had been more rapid than when heading 
north, and her drift had been less towards the land. Still there 
was so little wind, so steady a ground-swell, and it was possible 
to carry so little after-sail, that great doubts were entertained 
of being able to weather the rocks sufficiently to turn into the 
inlet. Twenty times in the next half-hour was the order to let 
go the anchor on the point of being given, as the wind baffled, 
and as often was it countermanded, to take advantage of its 
reviving. These were feverish moments, for the ship was now 
so near the reef as to render her situation very insecure in the 
event of the wind’s rising, or of a sea’s getting up, the sand of 
the bottom being too hard to make good holding-ground. Still, 
as there was a possibility, in the present state of the weather, 
of hedging the ship off a mile into the offing, if necessary. Cap- 
tain Truck stood on with a boldness he might not otherwise 
have felt. The anchor hung suspended by a single turn of the 
stopper, ready to drop at a signal, and Mr. Truck stood between 
the knight-heads, watching the slow progress of the vessel, and 
accurately noticing every foot of leeward set she made, as com- 
pared with the rocks. 

All this time the poor fellow stood in the water, awaiting the 
arrival of his friends, who, in their turn, were anxiously watch- 
ing his features, as they gradually grew more distinct. 

“ I see his eyes,” cried the captain, cheerily ; “ take a drag 
at the bowlines, and let her head up as much as she will, Mr. 
Leach, and never mind those sham topsails. Take them in at 
once, sir ; they do us, now, more harm than good.” 

The clewline blocks rattled, and the topgallant-sails, which 
were made to do the duty of topsails, but which would hardly 
spread to the lower yards, so as to set on a wind, came rapidly 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


247 


in. Five minutes of intense doubt followed, when the captain 
gave the animating order to — 

“ Man the main-clew garnets, boys, and stand by to make a 
run of it !” 

This was understood to be a sign that the ship was far enough 
to windward, and the command to “ In mainsail,” which soon 
succeeded, was received with a shout. 

“ Hard up with the helm, and stand by to lay the fore-yard 
square !” cried Captain Truck, rubbing his hands. “ Look that 
both bowers are clear for a run ; and you, Toast, bring me the 
brightest coal in the galley.” 

The movements of the Montauk were necessarily slow ; but 
she obeyed her helm, and fell off until her bows pointed in 
towards the sailor in the water. This fine fellow, the moment 
he saw the ship approaching, waded to the verge of the rock, 
where it went off perpendicularly to the bottom, and waved to 
them to come on without fear. 

“ Come within ten feet of me,” he shouted. “ There is noth- 
ing to spare on the other side.” 

As the captain was prepared for this, the ship was steered 
accordingly, and as she hove slowly past on the rising and fall- 
ing water, a rope was thrown to the man, who was hauled on 
board. 

“ Port !” cried the captain, as soon as the rock was passed ; 
“ port your helm, sir, and stand for the first buoy.” 

In this manner the Montauk drove slowly but steadily on, until 
she had reached the basin, where one anchor was let go almost 
as soon as she entered. The chain was paid out until the ves- 
sel was forced over to some distance, and then the other bower 
was dropped. The foresail was hauled up and handed, and 
chain was given the ship, which was pronounced to be securely 
moored. 

“ Now,” cried the captain, all his anxiety ceasing with the 
responsibility, “ I expect to be made a member of the New York 
Philosophical Society, at least, which is learned company for a 


248 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


man who has never been at college, for discovering a port on 
the coast of Africa, which harbor; ladies and gentlemen, with- 
out too much vanity, I hope to be permitted to call Port Truck. 
If Mr. Dodge, however, should think this too anti-republican, 
we will compromise the matter by calling it Port Truck and 
Dodge ; or the town that no doubt will sooner or later arise on 
its banks, may be called Dodgeborough, and I will keep the 
harbor to myself.” 

“ Should Mr. Dodge consent to this arrangement, he will 
render himself liable to the charge of aristocracy,” said Mr. 
Sharp ; for as all felt relieved by finding themselves in a 
place of security, so all felt disposed to join in the pleasantry. 
“ I dare say his modesty would prevent his consenting to the 
plan.” 

“ Why, gentlemen,” returned the subject of these remarks, 
I do not know that we are to refuse honors that are fairly im- 
posed on us by the popular voice ; and the practice of naming 
towns and counties after distinguished citizens, is by no means 
uncommon with us. A few of my own neighbors have been 
disposed to honor me in this way already, and my paper is 
issued from a hamlet that certainly does bear my own un- 
worthy name. So you perceive there will be no novelty in the 
appellation.” 

“ I would have made oath to it,” cried the captain, “ from 
your well-established humility. Is the place as large as Lon- 
don ?” 

“ It can boast of little more than my own office, a tavern, a 
store, and a blacksmith’s shop, captain, as yet ; but Rome was 
not built in a day.” 

“ Your neighbors, sir, must be people of extraordinary dis- 
cernment ; but the name ?” 

“ That is not absolutely decided. At first it was called Dodge- 
town, but this did not last long, being thought vulgar and com- 
mon-place. Six or eight weeks afterwards, we — ” 

“We, Mr. Dodge!” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


249 


“ I mean the people, sir, — I am so much accustomed to con- 
nect myself with the people, that whatever they do, I think I 
had a hand in.” 

“ And very properly, sir,” observed John Effingham, “ as 
probably without you, there would have been no people at all.” 

“ What may be the population of Dodgetown, sir ?” asked the 
persevering captain, on this hint. 

“ At the census of January, it was seventeen ; but by the 
census of March, there were eighteen. I have made a calcula- 
tion that shows, if we go on at this rate, or by arithmetical 
progression, it will be a hundred in about ten years, which will 
be a very respectable population for a country place. I beg 
pardon, sir, the people six or eight weeks afterwards, altered 
the name to Dodgeborough ; but a new family coming in that 
summer, a party was got up to change it to Dodge-ville, a name 
that was immensely popular, as ville means city in Latin ; but 
it must be owned the people like change, or rotation in names, 
as well as in office, and they called the place Butterfield Hol- 
low, for a whole month, after the new inhabitant, whose name 
is Butterfield. He moved away in the fall ; and so, after trying 
Belindy (Anglice Belinda), Nineveh, Grand Cairo, and Pumpkin 
Valley, they made me the ofier to restore the ancient name, 
provided some addendum more noble and proper could be found 
than town, or ville, or borough ; it is not yet determined what 
it shall be, but I believe we shall finally settle down in Dodge- 
ople, or Dodgeopolis.” 

“ For the season ; and a very good name it will prove for a 
short cruise, I make no question. The Butterfield Hollow was 
a little like rotation in office, in truth, sir.” 

“ I didn’t like it, captain, so I gave Squire Butterfield to 
understand, privately ; for as he had a majority with him, I 
didn’t approve of speaking too strongly on the subject. As 
soon as I got him out of the tavern, however, the current set 
the other way.” 

“ You fairly uncorked him !” 


250 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ That I did, and no one ever heard of him, or of his hollow, 
after his retreat. There are a few discontented and arrogant 
innovators, who affect to call the place by its old name of Mor- 
ton ; but these are the mere vassals of a man who once owned 
the patent, and who has now been dead these forty years. We 
are not the people to keep his old musty name, or to honor dry 
bones.” 

“ Served him right, sir, and like men of spirit ! If he wants 
a place called after himself, let him live, like other people. . A 
dead man has no occasion for a name, and there should be a 
law passed, that when a man slips his cables, he should bequeath 
his name to some honest fellow who has a worse one. It might 
be well to compel all great men in particular, to leave their re- 
nown to those who cannot get any for themselves.” 

“ I will venture to suggest an improvement on the name, if 
Mr. Dodge will permit me,” said Mr. Sharp, who had been an 
amused listener to the short dialogue. “ Dodgeople is a little 
short, and may be offensive by its hrusquerie. By inserting a 
single letter, it will become Dodge-people ; or, there is the al- 
ternative of Dodge-adrianople, which will be a truly sonorous 
and republican title. Adrian was an emperor, and even Mr. 
Dodge might not disdain the conjunction.” 

By this time, the editor of the Active Inquirer began to be 
extremely elevated — for this was assailing him on his weakest 
side — and he laughed and rubbed his hands as if he thought 
the joke particularly pleasant. This person had also a peculi- 
arity of judgment that was singularly in opposition to all his 
open professions, a peculiarity, however, that belongs rather to 
his class than to the individual member of it. Ultra as a 
democrat and an American, Mr. Dodge had a sneaking predi- 
lection in favor of foreign opinions. Although practice had 
made him intimately acquainted with all the frauds, deceptions, 
and vileness of the ordinary arts of paragraph-making, he never 
failed to believe religiously in the veracity, judgment, good faith, 
honesty, and talents of any thing that was imported in the form 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


251 


of types. He had been weekly, for years, accusing his nearest 
brother of the craft, of lying, and he could not be altogether 
ignorant of his own propensity in the same way ; but, not- 
withstanding all his experience in the secrets of the trade, 
whatever reached him from a European journal, he implicitly 
swallowed whole. One, who knew little of the man, might 
have supposed he feigned credulity to answer his own purposes ; 
but this would be doing injustice to his faith, which was perfect, 
being based on that provincial admiration, and provincial igno- 
rance, that caused the countryman, who went to London for the 
first time, to express his astonishment at finding the king a man. 
As was due to his colonial origin, his secret awe and reverence 
for an Englishman was exactly in proportion to his protestations 
of love for the people, and his deference for rank was graduated 
on a scale suited to the heart-burning and jealousies he enter- 
tained for all whom he felt to be his superiors. Indeed, one 
was the cause of the other ; for they who really are indifierent 
to their own social position, are usually equally indifferent to 
that of others, so long as they are not made to feel the difference 
by direct assumptions of superiority. 

When Mr. Sharp, whom even Mr. Dodge Lad discovered to 
be a gentleman, — and an English gentleman of com se, — entered 
into the trifling of the moment, therefore, so far from detecting 
the mystification, the latter was disposed to believe himself a 
subject of interest with this person, against whose exclusiveness^ 
and haughty reserve, notwithstanding, he had been making side- 
hits ever since the ship had sailed. But the avidity with which 
the Americans of Mr. Dodge’s temperament are apt to swallow 
the crumbs of flattery that fall from the Englishman’s table, is 
matter of history, and the editor himself was never so happy as 
when he could lay hold of a paragraph to republish, in which a 
few words of comfort were doled out by the condescending 
mother to the never-dying faith of the daughter. So far, there- 
fore, from taking umbrage at what had been said, he continued 
the subject long after the captain had gone to his duty, and 


252 


homeward bound. 


with so much perseverance that Paul Blunt, as soon as Mr. 
Sharp escaped, took an occasion to compliment that gentleman 
on his growing intimacy with the refined and single-minded 
champion of the people. The other admitted his indiscretion ; 
and if the affair had no other consequences, it afibrded these 
two fine young men a moment’s merriment, at a time when 
anxiety had been fast getting the ascendency over their more 
cheerful feelings. When they endeavored to make Miss EflSng- 
ham share in the amusement, however, that young lady heard 
them with gravity ; for the meanness of the act discovered by 
Nanny Sidley, had indisposed her to treat the subject of their 
comments with the familiarity of even ridicule. Perceiving 
this, though unable to account for it, the gentlemen changed 
the discourse, and soon became sufficiently grave by contem- 
plating their own condition. 

The situation of the Montauk was now certainly one to excite 
uneasiness in those who were little acquainted with the sea, as 
well as in those who were. It was very much like that for 
which Miss Effingham’s nurse had pined, having many rocks 
and sands in sight, with the land at no great distance. In order 
that the reader may understand it more clearly, we shall de- 
scribe it with greater minuteness. 

To the westward of the ship lay the ocean, broad, smooth, 
glittering, but, heaving and setting, with its eternal breathings, 
which always resemble the respiration of some huge monster. 
Between the vessel and this waste of water, and within three 
hundred feet of the first, stretched an irregular line of ripple, 
dotted here and there with the heads of low naked rocks, mark- 
ing the presence and direction of the reef. 

This was all that would interpose between the basin and the 
raging billows, should another storm occur ; but Captain Truck 
thought this would suffice so far to break the waves as to render 
the anchorage sufficiently secure. Astern of the ship, however, 
a rounded ridge of sand began to appear as the tide fell, within 
forty fathoms of the vessel, and as the bottom was hard, and 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


253 


difficult to get an anchor into it, there was the risk of dragging 
on this bank. We say that the bottom was hard, for the reader 
should know that it is not the weight of the anchor that secures 
the ship, but the hold its pointed fluke and broad palm get of 
the ground. The coast itself was distant less than a mile, and 
the entire basin within the reef was fast presenting spits of 
sand, as the water fell on the ebb. Still there were many 
channels, and it would have been possible, for one who knew 
their windings, to have sailed a ship several leagues among 
them, without passing the inlet ; these channels forming a sort 
of intricate net-work, in every direction from the vessel. 

When Captain Truck had coolly studied all the peculiarities 
of his position, he set about the duty of securing his ship, in 
good earnest. The two light boats were brought under the 
bows, and the stream anchor was lowered, and fastened to a 
spar that lay across both. This anchor was carried to the bank 
astern, and, by dint of sheer strength, it was laid over its sum- 
mit with a fluke buried to the shank in the hard sand. By 
means of a hawser, and a purchase applied to its end, the men 
on the banks next roused the chain out, and shackled it to the 
ring. The bight was hove-in, and the ship secured astern, so 
as to prevent a shift of wind, off the land, from forcing her on 
the reef. As no sea could come from this quarter, the single 
anchor and chain were deemed sufficient for this purpose. As 
soon as the boats were at liberty, and before the chain had been 
got ashore, two hedges were carried to the reef, and laid among 
the rocks, in such a way that their flukes and stocks equally 
got hold of the projections. To these hedges lighter chains 
were secured ; and when all the bights were hove-in, to as equal 
a strain as possible. Captain Truck pronounced his ship in readi- 
ness to ride out any gale that would be likely to blow. So far 
as the winds and waves might affect her, the Montauk was, in 
truth, reasonably safe ; for on the side where danger was most 
to be apprehended, she had two bowers down, and four parts 
of smaller chain were attached to the two hedges. Nor had 


254 


homeward bound. 


Captain Truck fallen into the common error of supposing he 
had so much additional strength in his fastenings, by simply 
running the chains through the rings, but he had caused each 
to be separately fastened, both in-board and to the hedges, by 
which means each length of the chain formed a distinct and in- 
dependent fastening of itself. 

So absolute is the sovereignty of a ship, that no one had 
presumed to question the master as to his motives for all this 
extraordinary precaution, though it was the common impression 
that he intended to remain where they were until the wind be- 
came favorable, or at least, until all danger of being thrown 
upon the coast, from the currents and the ground-swell, should 
have ceased. Paul Blunt observed, that he fancied it was the 
intention to take advantage of the smooth water within the 
reef, to get up a better and a more efficient set of jury-masts. 
But Captain Truck soon removed all doubts by letting the truth 
be known. While on board the Danish wreck, he had criti- 
cally examined her spars, sails, and rigging, and, though adapt- 
ed for a ship two hundred tons smaller than the Montauk, he 
was of opinion they might be fitted to the latter vessel, and 
made to answer all the necessary purposes for crossing the 
ocean, provided the Mussulmans and the weather would permit 
the transfer. 

“ We have smooth water and light airs,” he said, when con- 
cluding his explanation, “and the current sets southwardly 
along this coast ; by means of all our force, hard working, a 
kind Providence, and our own enterprise, I hope yet to see the 
Montauk enter the port of New York, with royals set, and 
ready to carry sail on a wind. The seaman who cannot rig 
his ship with sticks and ropes and blocks enough, might as well 
stay ashore, Mr. Dodge, and publish an hebdomadal. And so, 
my dear young lady, by looking along the land, the day after 
to-morrow, in the northern board here, you may expect to see 
a raft booming down upon you that will cheer your heart, and 
once more raise the hope of a Christmas dinner in New York, 
in all lovers of good fare.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


255 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

“ Here, in the sands, 

Thee I’ll rake up—” 

Leak. 

His mind made up, his intentions announced, and his ship 
in readiness. Captain Truck gave his orders to proceed with 
promptitude and clearness. The ladies remaining behind, he 
observed that the two Messrs. Effingham, as a matter of course, 
would stay with them as protectors, though little could harm 
them where they were. 

“ I propose to leave the ship in the care of Mr. Blunt,” he 
said, “ for I perceive something about that gentleman which 
denotes a nautical instinct. If Mr. Sharp choose to remain 
also, your society will be the more agreeable, and in exchange, 
gentlemen, I ask the favor of the strong arms of all your ser- 
vants. Mr. Monday is my man in fair or foul, and so, I flatter 
myself, will be Sir George Templemore ; and as for Mr. Dodge, 
if he stay behind, why the Active Inquirer will miss a notable 
paragraph, for there shall be no historian to the expedition, but 
one of my own appointing. Mr. Saunders shall have the honor 
of cooking for you in the mean while, and I propose taking 
every one else to the Dane.” 

As no serious objections could be made to this arrangement, 
within an hour of the time when th^ ship was fastened, the 
cutter and jolly-boat departed, it being the intention of Captain 
Truck to reach the wreck that evening, in season to have his 
sheers ready to raise by daylight in the morning ; for he hoped 
to be back again in the course of the succeeding day. No 


256 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


time was to be lost, be knew, the return of the Arabs being 
hourly expected, and the tranquillity of the open sea being at 
all times a matter of the greatest uncertainty. With the de- 
clared view of making quick work, and with the secret appre- 
hension of a struggle with the owners of the country, the captain 
took with him every oflScer and man in his ship that could pos- 
sibly be spared, and as many of the passengers as he thought 
might be useful. As numbers might be important in the w'ay 
of intimidation, he cared almost as much for appearances as for 
any thing else, or certainly he would not have deemed the 
presence of Mr. Dodge of any great moment ; for to own the 
truth, he expected the editor of the Active Inquirer would prove 
the quality implied by the first word of the title of his journal, 
as much in any other way as in fighting. 

Neither provisions nor water, beyond what might be neces- 
sary in pulling to the wreck, nor ropes, nor blocks, nor any 
thing but arms and ammunition, were taken in the boats ; for 
the examination of the morning had shown the captain that, 
notwithstanding so much had been plundered, a sufficiency still 
remained in the stranded vessel. Indeed the fact that so much 
had been left was one of his reasons for hastening off himself, 
as he deemed it certain that they who had taken away what 
was gone, would soon return for the remainder. The fowling- 
pieces and pistols, with all the powder and ball in the ship, 
were taken ; a light gun that was on board, for the purpose of 
awaking sleepy pilots, being left loaded, with the intention of 
serving for a signal of alarm, should any material change occur 
in the situation of the ship. 

The party included thirty men, and as most had firearms of 
one sort or another, they pulled out of the inlet with spirit and 
great confidence in their eventual success. The boats were 
crowded, it is true, but there was room to row, and the launch 
had been left in its place on deck, because it was known 
that two boats were to be found in the wreck, one of which 
was large : in short, as Captain Truck had meditated this expe 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


257 


dient fi’om the moment he ascertained the situation of the Dane, 
he now set about carrying it into effect with method and dis- 
crimination. We shall first accompany him on his way, leav- 
ing the small party in the Montauk for our future attention in 
another chapter. 

The distance between the two vessels was about four leagues, 
and a headland intervening, those in the boats in less than an 
hour lost sight of their own ship, as she lay shorn of her pride 
anchored within the reef. At almost the same moment, the 
wreck came in view, and Captain Truck applied his glass with 
great interest, in order to ascertain the state of things in that 
direction. All was tranquil — no signs of any one having visited 
the spot since morning being visible. This intelligence was 
given to the people, who pulled at their oars the more willingly 
under the stimulus of probable success, driving the boats ahead 
with increasing velocity. 

The sun was still some distance above the horizon, when the 
cutter and jolly-boat rowed through the narrow channel astern 
of the wreck, and brought up as before by the side of the rocks. 
Leaping ashore. Captain Truck led the way to the vessel, and, 
in five minutes, he was seen in the forward cross-trees, examin- 
ing the plain with his glass. All was as solitary and deserted 
as when before seen, and the order was immediately given to 
commence operations without delay. 

A gang of the best seamen got out the spare topmast and 
lower-yard of the Dane, and set about fitting a pair of sheers, a 
job that would be likely to occupy them several hours. Mr. 
Leach led a party up forward, and the second mate went up 
with another further aft, each proceeding to send down its re- 
spective topgallant-mast, topsail-yard, and topmast ; while 
Captain Truck, from the deck, superintended the same work on 
the mizzen-mast. As the men worked with spirit, and a strong 
party remained below to give the drags, and to come up the 
lanyards, spar came down after spar with rapidity, and just as 
the sun dipped into the ocean to the westward, every thing but 


258 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the lower-masts was lying on the sands, alongside of the ship ; 
nothing having been permitted to touch the decks in descend- 
ing. Previously, however, to sending down the lower-yards, 
the launch had been lifted from its bed and landed also by the 
side of the vessel. 

All hands were now mustered on the sands, and the boat was 
launched, an operation of some delicacy, as heavy rollers were 
occasionally coming in. As soon as it floated, this powerful 
auxiliary was swept up to the rocks, and then the men began 
to load it with the standing rigging and the sails, the latter 
having been unbent, as fast as each spar came down. Two 
hedges were found, and a hawser was bent to one, when the 
launch was carried outside of the bar and anchored. Lines 
being brought in, the yards were hauled out to the same place, 
and strongly lashed together for the night. A great deal of 
running rigging, many blocks, and divers other small articles, 
were put into the boats of the Montauk ; and the jolly-boat of 
the wreck, which was still hanging at her stern, was also 
lowered and got into the water. With these acquisitions, the 
party had now four boats, one of which was heavy, and capa- 
ble of carrying considerable freight. 

By this time it was so late and so dark, that Captain Truck 
determined to suspend his labors until morning. In the course 
of a few hours of active toil, he had secured all the yards, the 
sails, the standing and running rigging,, the boats, and many of 
the minor articles of the Dane ; and nothing of essential im- 
portance remained but the three lower masts. These, it is true, 
were all in all to him, for without them he would be but little 
better off than he was before, since his own ship had spare can- 
vas and spare yards enough to make a respectable show above 
the foundation. This foundation, however, was the great re- 
quisite ; and his principal motive in taking the other things was 
to have a better fit than could be obtained by using spars and 
sails that were not intended to go together. 

At eight o’clock, the people got their suppers, and prepared 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


259 


to turn in for the night. Some conversation passed between 
Captain Truck and his mates, concerning the manner of dis- 
posing of the men while they slept, which resulted in the 
former’s keeping a well-armed party of ten with him in the 
ship, while the remainder were put in the boats, all of which 
were fastened to the launch, as she lay anchored oif the bar. 
Here they made beds of the sails, and setting a watch, the 
greater portion of both gangs were soon as quietly asleep as if 
lying in their own berths on board the Montauk. Not so with 
Captain Truck and his mates. They walked the deck of the 
Dane fully an hour after the men were silent, and for some 
time after Mr. Monday had finished the bottle of wine he had 
taken the precaution to bring with him from the packet, and 
had bestowed his person among some old sails in the cabin. 
The night was a bright starlight, but the moon was not to be 
expected until near morning. The wind came off* the sands of 
the interior in hot puffs, but so lightly as to sound, that it 
breathed past them like the sighings of the desert. 

“It is lucky, Mr. Leach,” said the captain, continuing the 
discourse he had been holding with his mate in a low voice, 
under the sense of the insecurity of their situation ; “ it is lucky, 
Mr. Leach, that we got out the stream anchor astern, else we 
should have had the ship rubbing her copper against the corners 
of the rocks. This air seems light, but under all her canvas 
the Montauk would soon flap her way out from this coast, if all 
were ready.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir, if all were ready !” repeated Mr. Leach, as if he 
knew how much honest labor was to be expended before that 
happy moment could arrive. 

“ If all were ready. I think we may be able to whip these 
three sticks out of this fellow by breakfast-time in the morning, 
and then a couple of hours will answer for the raft; after 
which, a pull of six or eight more will take us back to our own 
craft.” 

“ If all goes well, it may be done, sir.” 


260 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Well or ill, it must be done. We are not in a situation to 
play at jack-straws !” 

“ I hope it may be done, sir.” 

“ Mr. Leach !” 

“ Captain Truck !” 

“We are in a d le category, sir, if the truth must be 

spoken.” 

“That is a word I am not much acquainted with, but we 
have an awkward berth of it here, if that be what you mean !” 

A long pause, during which these two seamen, one of whom 
was old, the other young, paced the deck diligently. 

“ Mr. Leach !” 

“ Captain Truck !” 

“ Do you ever pray ?” 

“I have done such a thing in my time, sir ; but since I have 
sailed with you, I have been taught to work first and pray 
afterwards ; and when the difficulty has been gotten over by 
the work, the prayers have commonly seemed surplusage.” 

“You should take to your thanksgivings. I think your 
grandfather was a parson, Leach ?” 

“ Yes, he was, sir, and I have been told your father followed 
the same trade.” 

“You have been told the truth, Mr. Leach. My father was 
as meek, and pious, and humble a Christian as ever thumped a 
pulpit. A poor man, and, if truth must be spoken, a poor 
preacher too; but a zealous one, and thoroughly devout. I 
ran away from him at twelve, and never passed a week at a 
time under his roof afterwards. He could not do much for me, 
for he had little education and no money, and, I believe, carried 
on the business pretty much by faith. He was a good man, 
Leach, notwithstanding there might be a little of a take-in for 
such a person to set up as a teacher ; and, as for my mother, if 
there ever was a pure spirit on earth, it was in her body !” 

“ the way commonly with the mothers, sir.” 

“ She taught me to pray,” added the captain, speaking a lit- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


261 


tie thick, “ but since I’ve been in this London line, to own the 
truth, I find hut little time for any thing hut hard work, until, 
for want of practice, praying has got to be among the hardest 
things I can turn my hand to.” 

“ That is the way with all of us ; it is my opinion. Captain 
Truck, these London and Liverpool liners will have a good 
many lost souls to answer for.” 

“ Ay, ay, if we could put it on them, it would do well enough ; 
but my honest old father always maintained that every man 
must stand in the gap left by his own sins ; though he did as- 
sert, also, that we were all foreordained to shape our courses 
starboard or port, even before we were launched.” 

“ That doctrine makes an easy tide’s-way of life ; for I see 
no great use in a man’s carrying sail and jamming himself up 
in the wind, to claw off immoralities, when he knows he is to 
fetch up upon them after all his pains.” 

“ I have worked all sorts of traverses to get hold of this mat- 
ter, and never could make any thing of it. It is harder than 
logarithms. If my father had been the only one to teach it, I 
should have thought less about it, for he was no scholar, and 
might have been paying it out just in the way of business ; but 
then my mother believed it, body and soul, and she was too 
good a woman to stick long to a course that had not truth to 
back it.” 

“Why not believe it heartily, sir, and let the wheel fiy? 
One gets to the end of the v’y’ge on this tack as well as on 
another.” 

“There is no great difficulty in working up to, or even 
through the passage of death, Leach, but the great point is to 
know the port we are to moor in finally. My mother taught 
me to pray, and when I was ten I had underrun all the Com- 
mandments, knew the Lord’s Creed, and the Apostles’ Prayer, 
and had made a handsome slant into the Catechism ; but, dear 
me, dear me, it has all oozed out of me, like the warmth from 
a Greenlander.” 


262 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Folks were better educated in your time, Captain Truck, 
than they are now-a-days, by all I can learn.” 

“No doubt of that in the world. In my time, younkers were 
taught respect for their betters, and for age, and their Cate- 
chism, and piety, and the Apostles’ Prayer, and all those sort 
of things. But America has fallen astern sadly in manners 
within the last fifty years. I do not flatter myself with being 
as good as I was when under my excellent dear mother’s com- 
mand, but there are worse men in the world, and out of New- 
gate, too, than John Truck. Now, in the way of vices, Leach, 
I never swear.” 

“Not you, sir; and Mr. Monday never drinks.” 

As the protestation of sobriety on the part of their passenger 
had got to be a joke with the oflicers and men of the ship. Cap- 
tain Truck had no diflBculty in understanding his mate, and 
though nettled at a retort that was like usurping his own right 
to the exclusive quizzing of the vessel, he was in a mood much 
too sentimental and reflecting to be angry. After a moment’s 
pause, he resumed the dialogue, as if nothing had been said to 
disturb its harmony. 

“No, I never swear; or, if I do, it is in a small, gentlemanly 
way, and with none of your foul-mouthed oaths, such as are 
used by the horse-jockeys that formerly sailed out of the river.” 

“Were they hard swearers ?” 

“Is a nor’wester a hard wind? Those fellows, after they 
have been choked off and jammed by the religion ashore for a 
month or two, would break out like a hurricane when they 
had made an ofiing, and were once fairly out of hearing of the 
parsons and deacons. It is said that old Joe Bunk began an 
oath on the bar that he did not get to the end of until his brig 
was off Montauk. I have my doubts, Leach, if any thing be 
gained by screwing down religion and morals, like a cotton-bale, 
as is practised in and about the river.” 

“ A good many begin to be of the same way of thinking ; for 
when our people do break out, it is like the small-pox.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


263 


“ I am an advocate for educJttion ; nor do I think I was taught 
in my own case more than was reasonable. I think even a 
prayer is of more use to a shipmaster than Latin, and I often 
have, even now, recourse to one, though it may not be exactly 
in Scripture language. I seldom want a wind without praying 
for it, mentally, as it might be ; and as for the rheumatis’, I 
am always praying to be rid of it, when I’m not cursing it star- 
board and larboard. Has it never struck you that the world is 
less moral since steamboats were introduced than formerly ?” 

“ The boats date from before my birth, sir.” 

“Very true — you are but a boy. Mankind appear to be 
hurried, and no one likes to stop to pray, or to foot up his sins, 
as used to be the case. Life is like a passage at sea. We feel 
our way cautiously until off soundings on our own coast, and 
then we have an easy time of it in the deep water ; but when 
we get near the shoals again, we take out the lead, and mind a 
little how we steer. It is the going off and coming on the 
coast, that gives us all the trouble.” 

“You had some object in view. Captain Truck, when you 
asked me if I ever prayed ?” 

' “ Certain. If I were to set to work to pray myself just now, 
it would be for smooth water to-morrow, that we may have a 
good time in towing the raft to the ship — hist ! Leach, did you 
hear nothing?” 

“There was a sound different from what is common in the 
air, from the land ! It is probably some savage beast, for Africa 
is full of them.” 

“ I think we might manage a lion from this fortress. Unless 
the fellow found the stage, he could hardly board us ; and a 
• plank or two thrown from that, would make a drawbridge of it 
at once. Look yonder! there is something moving on the 
bank, or my eyes are two jewel-blocks.” 

Mr. Leach looked in the required direction, and he, too, fan- 
cied he saw something in motion on the margin of the bank. 
At the point where the wreck lay, the beach was far from wide, 


264 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


and her flying jib-boom, which was still out, projected so near 
the low acclivity, where the coast rose to the level of the desert, 
as to come within ten feet of the bushes by which the latter 
was fringed. Although the spar had drooped a little in conse- 
quence of having lost the support of the stays, its end was still 
sufficiently high to rise above the leaves, and to permit one 
seated on it to overlook the plain, as well as the starlight would 
allow. Believing the duty to be important. Captain Truck, 
first giving his orders to Mr. Leach, as to the mode of alarming 
the men, should it become necessary, went cautiously out on 
the bowsprit, and thence by the foot-ropes, to the farther ex- 
tremity of the booms. As this was done with the steadiness of 
a seaman, and with the utmost care to prevent discovery, he 
was soon stretched on the spar, balancing his body by his legs 
beneath, and casting eager glances about, though prevented by 
the obscurity from seeing either far or very distinctly. 

After lying in this position a minute. Captain Truck discov- 
ered an object on the plains, at the distance of a hundred yards 
from the bushes, that was evidently in motion. He was now 
all watchfulness, for, had he not seen the proofs that the Arabs 
or Moors had already been at the wreck, he knew that parties- 
of them were constantly hovering along the coast, especially 
after every heavy gale that blew from the westward, in the 
hope of booty. As all his own people were asleep, the mates 
excepted, and the boats could just be discovered by himself, 
who knew their position, he was in hopes that, should any of 
the barbarians be near, the presence of his own party could 
hardly be known. It is true, the alteration in the appearance 
of the wreck, by the removal of the spars, must strike any one 
who had seen it before, but this change might have been made ' 
by another party of marauders, or those who had now come, if 
any there were, might see the vessel for the first time. 

While such thoughts were rapidly glancing through his 
mind, the reader will readily imagine that the worthy master 
was not altogether at his ease. Still he was cool, and, as he 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


265 


was resolved to fight his way ofif, even against an army, he 
clung to the spar with a species of physical resolution that 
would have done credit to a tiger. The object on the plain 
moved once more, and the clouds opening beyond, he plainly 
made out the head and neck of a dromedary. There was but 
one, however ; nor could the most scrupulous examination show 
him a human being. After remaining a quarter of an hour 
on the boom, during all which time the only sounds that were 
heard were the sighings of the night-air, and the sullen and 
steady wash of the surf. Captain Truck came on deck again, 
where he found his mate waiting his report with intense anx- 
iety. The former was fully aware of the importance of his 
discovery, but, being a cool man, he had not magnified the 
danger to himself. 

“ The Moors are down on the coast,” he said, in an under- 
tone ; “ but I do not think there can be more than two or three 
of them at the most ; probably spies or scouts ; and, could we 
seize them, we may gain a few hours on their comrades, which 
will be all we want ; after which they shall be welcome to the 
salt and the other dunnage of the poor Dane. Leach, are you 
the man to stand by me in this affair ?” 

“ Have I ever failed you. Captain Truck, that you put the 
question ?” 

“ That you have never, my fine fellow ; give me a squeeze 
of your honest hand, and let there be a pledge of life or death 
in it.” 

The mate met the iron grasp of his commander, and each 
knew that he received an assurance on which he might rely. 

“ Shall I awake the men, sir ?” asked Mr. Leach. 

» Not one of them. Every hour of sleep the people get will 
be a Ipwer-mast saved. These sticks that still remain are our 
fpundation, and even one of them is of more account to us, just 
npw, than a fleet of ships might be at another time. Take your 
arms and follow me ; but first we will give a hint to the second- 
mate of what we are about.” 


12 


266 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


This officer was asleep on the deck, for he had been so much 
wearied with his great exertions that afternoon as to catch a 
little rest as the sweetest of all gifts. It had been the intention 
of Captain Truck to dismiss him to the boats ; but observing 
him to be overcome with drowsiness, he had permitted him to 
catch a nap where he lay. The look-out, too, was also slumber- 
ing under the same indulgence ; but both were now awakened^ 
and made acquainted with the state of things on shore. 

“ Keep your eyes open, but keep a dead silence,” concluded 
Captain Truck ; “ for it is my wish to deceive these scouts, and 
to keep them ignorant of our presence. When I cry out ‘ Alarm I’ 
you will muster all hands, and clear away for a brush, but not 
before. God bless you, my lads ! mind and keep your eyes open. 
Leach, I am ready.” 

The captain and his companion cautiously descended to the 
sands, and passing astern of the ship, they first took their way 
to the jolly-boat, which lay at the rocks in readiness to carry 
off the two officers to the launch. Here they found the two 
men in charge so soundly asleep, that nothing would have 
been easier than to bind them without giving the alarm. After 
a little hesitation, it was determined to let them dream away 
their sorrows, and to proceed to the spot where the bank was 
ascended. 

At this place it became necessary to use the greatest precau- 
tion, for it was literally entering the enemy’s country. The 
steepness of the short ascent requiring them to mount nearly on 
their hands and feet, this part of their progress was made with- 
out much hazard, and the two adventurers stood on the plain, 
sheltered by some bushes. 

“ Yonder is the camel,” whispered the captain : “ you see 
his crooked neck, with the head tossing at moments. The fel- 
low is not fifty yards from the body of the poor German ! Now 
let us follow along this line of bushes, and keep a sharp look- 
out for the rider.” 

They proceeded in the manner mentioned, until they came 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


267 


to a point where the bushes ceased, and there was an opening 
that overlooked the beach quite near the wreck. 

“ Do you see the boats, Leach, here away, in a line with the 
starboard davit of the Dane ? They look like dark spots on 
the water, and an ignorant Arab might be excused for taking 
them for rocks.” 

“ Except that they rise and fall with the rollers ; he must be 
doubly a Turk who could make such a blunder !” 

“ Your wanderers of the desert are not so particular. The 
wreck has certainly undergone some changes since yesterday, 
and I should not wonder if even a Mussulman found them out, 
but — ” 

The gripe of Mr. Leach, whose fingers almost entered the 
flesh of his arm, and a hand pointed towards the bushes on the 
other side of the opening, silenced the captain’s whisper. A 
human form was seen standing on the fringe of the bank, directly 
opposite the jib-boom. It was swaddled in a sort of cloak, and 
the long musket that was borne in a hollow of an arm, was just 
discernible, diverging from the line of the figure. The Arab, 
for such it could only be, was evidently gazing on the wreck, 
and presently he ventured out more boldly, and stood on the 
spot that was clear of bushes. The death-like stillness on the 
beach deceived him, and he advanced with less caution towards 
the spot where the two officers were in ambush, still keeping 
his own eye on the ship. A few steps brought him within reach 
of Captain Truck, who drew back his arm until the elbow reached 
his own hip, when he darted it forward, and dealt the incautious 
barbarian a severe blow between the eyes. The Arab fell like 
a slaughtered ox, and before his senses were fairly recovered, 
he was bound hands and feet, and rolled over the bank down 
upon the beach, with little ceremony, his firearms remaining with 
his captors. 

“ That lad is in a category,” whispered the captain ; “ it now 
remains to be seen if there is another.” 

A long search was not rewarded with success, and it was de- 


268 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


termined to lead the camel down the path, with a view to pre- 
vent his being seen by any wanderer in the morning. 

“ If we get the lower masts out betimes,” continued the 
captain, “ these land pirates will have no beacons in sight to 
steer by, and, in a country in which one grain of sand is so 
much like another, they might hunt a week before they made 
a happy land-fall.” 

The approach of the two towards the camel was made with 
less caution than usual, the success of their enterprise throwing 
them off their guard, and exciting their spirits. They believed, 
in short, that their captive was either a solitary wanderer, or 
that he had been sent ahead as a scout, by some party that would 
be likely to follow in the morning. 

“We must be up and at work before the sun, Mr. Leach,” 
said the captain, speaking clearly, but in a low tone, as they 
approached the camel. The head of the animal was tossed ; 
then it seemed to snuff the air, and it gave a shriek. In the 
twinkling of an eye an Arab sprang from the sand, on which 
he had been sleeping, and was on the creature’s back. He 
was seen to look around him, and before the startled mariners 
had time to decide on their course, the beast, which was a 
dromedary trained to speed, was out of sight in the darkness. 
Captain Ti’uck had thrown forward his fowling-piece, but he did 
not fire. 

“We have no right to shoot the fellow,” he said, “ and our 
hope is now in the distance he will have to ride to join his 
comrades. If we have got a chief, as I suspect, we will make 
a hostage of him, and turn him to as much account as he can 
possibly turn one of his own camels. Depend on it we shall 
see no more of them for several hours, and we will seize the 
opportunity to get a little sleep. A man must have his watch 
below, or he gets to be as dull and as obstinate as a top-maul.” 

The captain having made up his mind to this plan, was not 
slow in putting it in execution. Returning to the beach they 
liberated the legs of their prisoner, whom they found lying like 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


269 


a log* on the sands, and made him mount the staging to the deck 
of the ship. Leading the way into the cabin, Mr. Truck ex- 
amined the fellow by a light, turning him round and comment- 
ing on his points very much as he might have done had the 
captive been any other animal of the desert. 

The Arab was a swarthy, sinewy man of forty, with all his 
fibres indurated and worked down to the whip-cord meagerness 
and rigidity of a racer, his frame presenting a perfect picture of 
the sort of being one would fancy suited to the exhausting mo- 
tion of a dromedary, and to the fare of a desert. He carried 
a formidable knife, in addition to the long musket of which he 
had been deprived, and his principal garment was the coarse 
mantle of camel’s hair, that served equally for cap, coat, and 
robe. His wild dark eyes gleamed, as Captain Truck passed 
the lamp before his face, and it was sufficiently apparent that 
he fancied a very serious misfortune had befallen him. As any 
verbal communication was out of the question, some abortive 
attempts were essayed by the two mariners to make themselves 
understood by signs, which, like some men’s reasoning, pro- 
duced results exactly contrary to what had been expected. 

“ Perhaps the poor fellow fancies we mean to eat him, 
Leach,” observed the captain, after trying his skill in pantomime 
for some time without success ; “ and he has some grounds for 
the idea, as he was felled like an ox that is bound to the kitchen. 
Try and let the miserable wretch understand, at least, that we 
are not cannibals.” 

Hereupon the mate commenced an expressive pantomime, 
which described, with suflScient clearness, the process of skin- 
ning, cutting up, cooking, and eating the carcass of the Arab, 
with the humane intention of throwing a negative over the 
whole proceeding, by a strong sign of dissent at the close ; but 
there are no proper substitutes for the little monosyllables of 
“ yes” and “ no,” and the meaning of the interpreter got to be 
so confounded that the captain himself was mystified. 

“ D — n it, Leach,” he interrupted, “ the man fancies that he 


2Y0 


homeward bound. 


is not good eating, you make so many wry and out-of-the-way 
contortions. A sign is a jury-mast for the tongue, and every 
seaman ought to know how to practise them, in case he should 
be wrecked on a savage and unknown coast. Old Joe Bunk 
had a dictionary of them, and in calm weather he used to go 
among his horses and horned cattle, and talk with them by the 
hour. He made a diagram of the language, and had it taught 
to all us younkers who were exposed to the accidents of the 
sea. Now I will try my hand on this Arab, for I could never 
go to sleep while the honest black imagined we intended to 
breakfast on him.” 

The captain now recommenced his own explanations in the 
language of nature. He too described the process of cooking 
and eating the prisoner — for this he admitted was indispensable 
by way of preface — and then, to show his horror of such an 
act, he gave a very good representation of a process he had 
often witnessed among his sea-sick passengers, by way of show- 
ing his loathing of cannibalism in general, and of eating this 
Arab in particular. By this time the man was thoroughly 
alarmed, and by way of commentary on the captain’s eloquence, 
he began to utter wailings in his own language, and groans 
that were not to be mistaken. To own the truth, Mr. Truck 
was a good deal mortified with this failure, which, like all other 
unsuccessful persons, he was ready to ascribe to anybody but 
himself. 

“ I begin to think, Mr. Leach,” he said, “ that this fellow is 
too stupid for a spy or a scout, and that, after all, he is no more 
than a driveller who has strayed from his tribe, from a want 
of sense to keep the road in a desert. A man of the smallest 
information must have understood me, and yet you perceive 
by his lamentations and outcries that he knows no more what 
I said than if he were in another parallel of latitude. The chap 
has quite mistaken my character ; for if I really did intend to 
make a beast of myself, and devour my species, no one of the 
smallest knowledge of human nature would think I’d begin on 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


271 


a Digger ! What is your opinion of the man’s mistake, Mr. 
Leach ?” 

“ It is very plain, sir, that he supposes you mean to broil 
him, and then to eat so much of his steaks, that you will be 
compelled to heave up like a marine two hours out ; and, if I 
must say the truth, I think most people would have inferred 
the same thing from your signs, which are as plainly cannibal 
as any thing of the sort I ever witnessed.” 

“ And what the devil did he make of yours, Master Cookery- 
Book ?” cried the captain with some heat. “ Did he fancy you 
meant to mortify the flesh with a fortnight’s fast ? No, no, sir ; 
you are a very respectable first officer, but are no more ac- 
quainted with Joe Bunk’s principles of signs, than this editor 
here knows of truth and propriety. It is your blundering 
manner of soliloquizing that has set the lad on a wrong 
traverse. He has just grafted your own idea on my commu- 
nication, and has got himself into a category that a book itself 
would not reason him out of, until his fright is passed. Logic 
is thrown away on all ‘ skeary animals,’ said old Joe Bunk. 
Harkee, Leach, I’ve a mind to set the rascal adrift, condemning 
the gun and the knife for the benefit of the captors. I think I 
should sleep better for the certainty that he was trudging along 
the sand, satisfied he was not to be barbacued in the morning.” 

“ There is no use in detaining him, sir, for his messmate, who 
went off on the dromedary, will sail a hundred feet to his one ; 
and if an alarm is really to be given to their party, it will not 
come from this chap. He will be unarmed, and by taking 
away his pouch, we shall get some ammunition for this gun of 
his, which will throw a shot as far as Queen Anne’s pocket- 
piece. For my part, sir, I think there is no great use in keep- 
ing him, for I do not think he would understand us if he stayed 
a month, and went to school the whole time.” 

“You are quite right, and as long as he is among us, we 
shall be liable to unpleasant misconceptions ; so cut his lash- 
ings and set him adrift, and be d — d to him.” 


272 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


The mate, who by this time was drowsy, did as desired, and 
in a moment the Arab was at liberty. At first the poor crea- 
ture did not know what to make of his freedom ; but a smart 
application, d posteriori^ from the foot of Captain Truck, whose 
humanity was of the rough quality of the seas, soon set him 
in motion up the cabin-ladder. When the two mariners reached 
the deck, their prisoner was already leaping down the staging, 
and in another minute his active form was obscurely seen clam- 
bering up the bank, on gaining which he plunged into the 
desert, and was seen no more. 

None but men indurated in their feelings by long exposure 
would be likely to sleep under the circumstances in which these 
two seamen were placed ; but they were both too cool, and too 
much accustomed to arouse themselves on sudden alarms, to 
lose the precious moments in womanish apprehensions, when 
they knew that all their physical energies would be needed on 
the morrow, whether the Arabs arrived or not. They accord- 
ingly regulated the look-outs, gave strong admonitions of cau- 
tion to be passed from one to another, and then the captain 
stretched himself in the berth of the poor Dane, who was now 
a captive in the desert, while Mr. Leach got into the jolly-boat, 
and was pulled olF to the launch. Both were sound asleep in 
less than five minutes after their heads touched their temporary 
pillows. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


273 


CHAPTER XIX. 

“ Ay, he does well enough, if he be disposed. 

And so do I too ; he does it with a better grace, but 
I do it more natural.” 

Twelfth Night. 

The sleep of the weary is sweet. Of all the party that lay 
thus buried in sleep, on the verge of the Great Desert, exposed 
at any moment to an assault from its ruthless and predatory 
occupants, but one bethought him of the danger ; though he 
was, in truth, so little exposed as to have rendered it of less 
moment to himself than to most of the others, had he not 
been the possessor of a fancy that served oftener to lead him 
astray than for any purposes that were useful or pleasing. This 
person was in one of the boats, and as they lay at a reasonable 
distance from the land, and the barbarians would not probably 
have known how to use any craft had they even possessed one, 
he was consequently safe from every thing but a discharge from 
their long muskets. But this remote risk sufficed to keep him 
awake, it being very different things to foster malice, circulate 
gossip, write scurrilous paragraphs, and cant about the people, 
and to face a volley of firearms. For the one employment, 
nature, tradition, education, and habit, had expressly fitted Mr. 
Dodge ; while for the other, he had not the smallest vocation. 
Although Mr. Leach, in setting his look-outs on board the 
boats, had entirely overlooked the editor of the Active Inquirer, 
never before had that vigilant person’s inquiries been more 
active than they were throughout the whole of that long night ; 
and twenty times would he have aroused the party on false 

12 * 


274 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


alarms, but for the cool indifference of the phlegmatic seamen, 
to whom the duty more properly belonged. These brave fel- 
lows knew too well the precious qualities of sleep to allow that 
of their shipmates to be causelessly disturbed by the nervous 
apprehensions of one who carried with him an everlasting 
stimulant to fear in the consciousness of demerit. The night 
passed away undisturbed, therefore, nor was the order of the 
regular watch broken until the look-outs in the wreck, agreeably 
to their orders, awoke Captain Truck and his mates. 

It was now precisely at the moment when the first, and as it 
might be the fugitive, rays of the sun glide into the atmosphere, 
and, to use a quaint expression, “ dilute its darkness.” One no 
longer saw by starlight, or by moonlight, though a little of both 
were still left ; but objects, though indistinct and dusky, had 
their true outlines, while every moment rendered their surfaces 
more obvious. 

When Captain Truck appeared on deck, his first glance was 
at the ocean ; for, were its tranquillity seriously disturbed, it 
would be a death-blow to all his hopes. Fortunately, in this 
particular, there was no change. 

“ The winds seem to have put themselves out of breath in 
the last gale, Mr. Leach,” he said, “ and we are likely to get the 
spars round as quietly as if they were so many saw-logs floating 
in a mill-pond. Even the ground-swell has lessened, and the 
breakers on the bar look like the ripple of a wash-tub. Turn 
the people up, sir, and let us have a drag at these sticks before 
breakfast, or we may have to broil an Arab yet.” 

Mr. Leach hailed the boats, and ordered them to send their 
gang of laborers on shore. He then gave the accustomed raps 
on the deck, and called “ all hands” in the ship. In a minute 
the men began to appear, yawning and stretching their arms — 
for no one had thrown aside his clothes — most of them launch- 
ing their sea-jokes right and left, with as much indifference as 
if they lay quietly in the port to which they were bound. After 
some eight or ten minutes to shake themselves, and to get 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


275 


“ aired,” as Mr. Leach expressed it, the whole party was again 
mustered on the deck of the Dane, with the exception of a 
hand or two in the launch, and Mr. Dodge. The latter had as- 
sumed the office of sentinel over the jolly-boat, which, as usual, 
lay at the rocks, to carry such articles off as might be wanted. 

“ Send a hand up into the foretop, Mr. Leach,” said the cap- 
tain, gaping like a greyhound ; “ a fellow with sharp eyes ; 
none of your chaps who read with their noses down in the 
cloudy weather of an almanac ; and let him take a look at the 
desert, in search of Arabs.” 

Although the lower rigging was down and safe in the launch, 
a girt-line, or as Captain Truck in the true Doric of his profes- 
sion pronounced it, a “ guntAme'' was rove at each mast, and 
a man was accordingly hauled up forward as soon as possible. 
As it was still too dusky to distinguish far with accuracy, the 
captain hailed him, and bade him stay where he was until 
ordered down, and to keep a sharp look-out. 

“ We had a visit from one chap in the night,” he added, 
“ and as he was a hungry-looking rascal, he is a greater fool 
than I think him, or he will be back before long, after some of 
the beef and stock-fish of the wreck. Keep a bright look-out.” 

The men, though accustomed to their commander’s manner, 
looked at each other more seriously, glanced around at their 
arms, and then the information produced precisely the effect 
that had been intended, that of inducing them to apply to their 
work with threefold vigor. 

“ Let the boys chew upon that, instead of their tobacco,” 
observed the captain to Mr. Leach, as he hunted for a good 
coal in the galley to light his cigar with. “ I’ll warrant you 
the sheers go up none the glower for the information, desperate 
philosophers as some of these gentry are.” 

This prognostic was true enough, for instead of gaping and 
stretching themselves about the deck, as had been the case 
with most of them a minute before, the men now commenced 
their duty in good earnest, calling to each other to come to 


276 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the falls and the capstan-bars, and to stand by the heels of the 
sheers. 

“ Heave away !” cried the mate, smiling to see how quick 
the captain’s hint had been taken ; “ heave round with a will, 
men, and let us set these legs on end, that they may walk.” 

As the order was obeyed to the letter, the day had not fairly 
opened when the sheers were in their places and secured. 
Every man was all activity, and as their work was directed by 
those whose knowledge was never at fault, a landsman would 
have been surprised at the readiness with which the crew next 
raised a spar as heavy as the mainmast, and had it suspended, 
top and all, in the air, high enough to he borne over the side. 
The lowering was a trifling affair, and the massive stick was 
soon lying at its length on the sands. Captain Truck well 
knew the great importance of this particular spar, for he might 
make out with the part of the foremast that remained in the 
packet, whereas, without this mast he could not possibly rig 
any thing of much available use aft. He called out to the men, 
therefore, as he sprang upon the staging, to follow him and to 
launch the spar into the water before they breakfasted. 

“ Let us make sure of this fellow, men,” he added, “ for it is 
our mainstay. With this stick fairly in our raft, we may yet 
make a passage ; no one must think of his teeth till it is out of 
all risk. This stick we must have, if we make war on the 
Emperor of Morocco for its possession.” 

The people knew the necessity for exertion, and they worked 
accordingly. The top was knocked off, and carried down to 
the water ; the spar was then cut round, and rolled after it, not 
without trouble, however, as the trestle-trees were left on ; but 
the descent of the sands favored «the labor. When on the 
margin of the sea, by the aid of handspikes, the head was got 
afloat, or so nearly so, as to require but little force to move it, 
when a line from the boats was fastened to the outer end, and 
the top was secured alongside. 

“Now, clap your handspikes under it, boys, and heave 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


277 


away !” cried the captain. “ Heave together and keep the stick 
straight — heave, and his head is afloat ! — Haul, haul away in 
the boat ! — heave all at once, and as if you were giants ! — you 
gained three feet that tug, my hearties : try him again, gentle- 
men, as you are — and move together, like girls in a cotillion — 
Away with it ! — What the devil are you staring at, in the fore- 
top there? Have you nothing better to do than to amuse 
yourself in seeing us heave our insides out ?” 

The intense interest attached to the securing of this spar had 
extended to the look-out in the top, and instead of keeping his 
eye on the desert, as ordered, he was looking down at the party 
on the beach, and betraying his sympathy in their efforts by 
bending his body, and appearing to heave in common with his 
messmates. Admonished of his neglect by this sharp rebuke, 
he turned round quickly towards the desert, and gave the fear- 
ful alarm of “ The Arabs !” 

Every man ceased his work, and the whole were on the point 
of rushing in a body towards their arms, when the greater 
steadiness of Captain Truck prevented it. 

“Whereaway?” he demanded sternly. 

“ On the most distant hillock of sand, may be a mile and a 
half inland.” 

“ How do they head ?” 

“ Dead down upon us, sir.” 

“ How do they travel ?” 

“ They have camels, and horses : all are mounted, sir.” 

“ What is their number ?” 

The man paused, as if to count, and then he called out — 

“ They are strong-handed, sir ; quite a hundred, I think. 
They have brought up, sir, and seem to be sounding about them 
for an anchorage.” 

Captain Truck hesitated, and he looked wistfully at the mast. 

“ Boys !” said he, shaking his hand over the bit of massive 
wood, with energy, “ this spar is of more importance to us than 
our mother’s milk in infancy. It is our victuals and drink, life 


278 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


and hopes. Let us swear we will have it in spite of a thousand 
Arabs. Stoop to your handspikes, and heave at the word — 
heave as if you had a world to move, — heave, men, heave I” 

The people obeyed, and the mast advanced more than half 
the necessary distance into the water. But the man now 
called out that the Arabs were advancing swiftly towards the 
ship. 

“ One more effort, men,” said Captain Truck, reddening in 
the face with anxiety, and throwing down his hat to set the 
example in person, — “ heave !” 

The men hove, and the spar floated. 

“ Now to your arms, boys, and you, sir, in the top, keep your- 
self hid behind the head of the mast. We must be ready to 
show these gentry we are not afraid of them.” A sign of the 
hand told the men in the launch to haul away, and the all-im- 
portant spar floated slowly across the bar, to join the raft. 

The men now hurried up to the ship, a post that Captain 
Truck declared he could maintain against a whole tribe, while 
Mr. Dodge began incontinently to scull the jolly-boat, in the 
best manner he could, off to the launch. All remonstrance 
was useless, as he had got as far as the bar before he was per- 
ceived. Both Sir George Templemore and Mr. Monday loudly 
denounced him for deserting the party on the shore in this 
scandalous manner, but quite without effect. Mr. Dodge’s skill, 
unfortunately for his success, did not quite equal his zeal ; and 
flnding, when he got on the bar, that he was unable to keep 
the boat’s head to the sea, or indeed to manage it all, he fairly 
jumped into the water and swam lustily towards the launch. 
As he was expert at this exercise, he arrived safely, cursing in 
his heart all travelling, the desert, the Arabs, and mankind in 
general, wishing himself quietly back in Dodgeopolis again, 
among his beloved people. The boat drove upon the sands, of 
course, and was eventually taken care of by two of the Mon- 
tauk’s crew. 

As soon as Captain Truck found himself on the deck of the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


279 


Dane, the arms were distributed among the people. It was 
clearly his policy not to commence the war, for he had nothing, 
in an affirmative sense, to gain by it, though, without making 
any professions, his mind was fully made up not to be taken alive, 
as long as there was a possibility of averting such a disaster. 
The man aloft gave constant notice of the movements of the 
Arabs, and he soon announced that they had halted at a pis- 
tol’s shot from the bank, where they were securing their camels, 
and that his first estimate of their force was true. 

In the mean time. Captain Truck was far from satisfied with 
his position. The bank was higher than the deck of the ship, 
and so near it as to render the bulwarks of little use, had those 
of the Dane been of any available thickness, which they were 
not. Then, the position of the ship, lying a little on one side, 
with her bows towards the land, exposed her to being swept by 
a raking fire ; a cunning enemy having it in his power, by 
making a cover of the bank, to pick off his men, with little or 
no exposure to himself. The odds were too great to sally upon 
the plain, and although the rocks oflfered a tolerable cover to- 
wards the land, they had none towards the ship. Divide his 
force he dared not do, — and by abandoning the ship, he would 
allow the Arabs to seize her, thus commanding the other posi- 
tion, besides the remainder of the stores, which he was desirous 
of securing. 

Men think fast in trying circumstances; and although the 
captain was in a situation so perfectly novel, his practical knowl- 
edge and great coolness rendered him an invaluable commander 
to those under his orders. 

“ I do not know, gentlemen,” he said, addressing his passen- 
gers and mates, “ that Vattel has laid down any rule to govern 
this case. These Arabs, no doubt, are the lawful owners of the 
country, in one sense ; but it is a desert — and a desert, like a 
sea, is common property for the time being, to all who find 
themselves in it. There are no wreckmasters in Africa, and 
probably no law concerning wrecks, but the law of the strongest. 


280 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


We have been driven in here, moreover, by stress of weather — 
and this is a category on which Vattel has been very explicit. 
We have a right to the hospitality of these Arabs, and if it be 
not freely accorded, d — n me, gentlemen, but I feel disposed to 
take just as much of it as I find I shall have occasion for ! 
Mr. Monday, I should like to hear your sentiments on this 
subject.” 

“Why, sir,” returned Mr. Monday, “I have the greatest con- 
fidence in your knowledge. Captain Truck, and am equally 
ready for peace or war, although my calling is for the first. I 
should try negotiation to begin with, sir, if it be practicable, 
and you will allow me to express an opinion ; after which I 
would offer war.” 

“ I am quite of the same mind, sir ; but in what way are we 
to negotiate with a people we cannot make understand a word 
we say ? It is true, if they were versed in the science of signs, 
one might do something with them ; but I have reason to know 
that they are as stupid as boobies on all such subjects. We 
shall get ourselves into a category at the first protocol^ as the 
writers say.” 

Now, Mr. Monday thought there was a language that any man 
might understand, and he was strongly disposed to profit by it. 
In rummaging the wreck, he had discovered a case of liquor, 
besides a cask of Hollands, and he thought an offering of these 
might have the effect to put the Arabs in good-humor at least. 

“ I have known men, who, treated with dry, in matters of 
trade, were as obstinate as mules, become reasonable and pliable, 
sir, over a bottle,” he said, after explaining where the liquor 
was to be found ; “ and I think, if we offer the Arabs this, after 
they have been in possession a short time, we shall find them 
better disposed towards us. If it should not prove so, I con- 
fess, for one, I should feel less reluctance in shooting them than 
before.” 

“ I have somewhere heard that the Mussulmans never drink,” 
observed Sir George; “ in which case we shall find our offering 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


281 


despised. Then there is the difficulty of a first possession ; for, 
if these people are the same as those that were here before, 
they may not thank us for giving them so small a part of that, 
of which they may lay claim to all. I’m very sure, were any 
one to offer me my patent pistols, as a motive for letfing him 
carry away my patent razors, or the East India dressing-case, 
or any thing else I own, I should not feel particularly obliged 
to him.” 

“ Capitally put. Sir George, and I should be quite of your 
way of thinking, if I did not believe these Arabs might really 
be mollified by a little drink. If I had a proper ambassador to 
send with the offering, I would resort to the plan at once.” 

Mr. Monday, after a moment’s hesitation, spiritedly offered 
to be one of two, to go to the Arabs with the proposal, for he 
had sufficient penetration to perceive that there was little 
danger of his being seized, while an armed party of so much 
strength remained to be overcome — and he had sufficient nerve 
to encounter the risk. All he asked was a companion, and 
Captain Truck was so much struck with the spirit of the vol- 
unteer, that he made up his mind to accompany him himself. 
To this plan, however, both the mates and all the crew stoutly 
but respectfully objected. They felt his importance too much 
to consent to this exposure, and neither of the mates, even, 
would be allowed to go on an expedition of so much hazard, 
without a sufficient motive. They might fight, if they pleased, 
but they should not run into the mouth of the lion unarmed 
and unresisting. 

“ It is of no moment,” said Mr. Monday ; “ I could have 
liked a gentleman for my companion ; but no one of the brave 
fellows will have any objection to passing an hour in company 
with an Arab sheik over a bottle. What say you, my lads, 
will any one of you volunteer ?” 

“ Ay, ay, sir !” cried a dozen in a breath. 

“This will never do,” interrupted the captain : “I have need 
of the men, for my heart is still set on these two sticks that re- 


282 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


main, and we have a head-sea and a stiff breeze to struggle 
with in getting back to the ship. By George, I have it ! What 
do you say to Mr. Dodge for a companion, Mr. Monday ? He 
is used to committees, and likes the service ; and then he has 
need of some stimulant, after the ducking he has received. Mr. 
Leach, take a couple of hands, and go off in the jolly-boat and 
bring Mr. Dodge on shore. My compliments to him, and tell 
him he has been unanimously chosen to a most honorable and 
lucrative — ay, and a popular employment.” 

As this was an order, the mate did not scruple about obey- 
ing it. He was soon afloat, and on his way towards the launch. 
Captain Truck now hailed the top, and inquired what the 
Arabs were about. The answer was satisfactory, as they were 
still busy with their camels and in pitching their tents. This 
did not look much like an immediate war, and bidding the 
man aloft to give timely notice of their approach, Mr. Truck 
fancied he might still have time to shift his sheers, and to whip 
out the mizzen-mast, and he accordingly set about it without 
further delay. 

As every one worked, as it might be for life, in fifteen min- 
utes this light spar was suspended in the falls. In ten more its 
heel was clear of the bulwarks, and it was lowered on the 
sands almost by the run. To knock off the top and roll it 
down to the water took but a few minutes longer, and then the 
people were called to their breakfast ; the sentinel aloft report- 
ing that the Arabs were employed in the same manner, and in 
milking their camels. This was a fortunate relief, and every- 
body ate in peace, and in the full assurance that those whom 
they so much distrusted were equally engaged in the same 
pacific manner. 

Neither the Arabs nor the seamen, however, lost any unneces- 
sary time at the meal. The former were soon reported to be 
coming and going in parties of fifteen or twenty, arriving and 
departing in an eastern direction. Occasionally a single runner 
went or came alone, on a fleet dromedary, as if communications 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


283 


were held with other bodies which lay deeper in the desert. 
All this intelligence rendered Captain Truck very uneasy, and 
he thought it time seriously to take some decided measures to 
bring this matter to an issue. Still, as time gained was all in 
his favor, if improved, he first ordered the men to begin to shift 
the sheers forward, in hopes of being yet able to carry off the 
foremast ; a spar that would be exceedingly useful, as it would 
save the necessity of fishing a new head to the one which still 
stood in the packet. He then went aside with his two ambas- 
sadors, with a view to give his instructions. 

Mr. Dodge had no sooner found himself safe in the launch 
than he felt his courage revive, and with his courage, his in- 
genuity, self-love, and assurance. While in the water, a meeker 
man there was not on earth ; he had even some doubts as to 
the truth of all his favorite notions of liberty and equality, for 
men think fast in danger, and there was an instant when he 
might have been easily persuaded to acknowledge himself a 
demagogue and a hypocrite in his ordinary practices; one 
whose chief motive was self, and whose besetting passions were 
envy, distrust, and malice ; or, in other words, very much the 
creature he was. Shame came next, and he eagerly sought 
an excuse for the want of manliness he had betrayed ; but, pass- 
ing over the language he had held in the launch, and the means 
Mr. Leach found to persuade him to land again, we shall give 
his apology in his own words, as he now somewhat hurriedly 
delivered it, to Captain Truck, in his own person. 

“ I must have misunderstood your arrangement, captain,” he 
said ; “ for somehow, though how I do not exactly know — but 
somehow the alarm of the Arabs was no sooner given than I 
felt as if I ought to be in the launch to be at my post ; but I 
suppose it was because I knew that the sails and spars that 
brought us here are mostly there, and that this was the spot to 
be most resolutely defended. I do think, if they had waded off 
to us, I should have fought like a tiger !” 

“No doubt you would, my dear sir, and like a wild-cat too ! 


284 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


We all make mistakes in judgment, in war, and in politics, and 
no fact is better known tban that the best soldiers in the end 
are they who give a little ground at the first attack. But Mr. 
Leach has explained to you the plan of Mr. Monday, and I rely 
on your spirit and zeal, which there is now an excellent oppor- 
tunity to prove, as before it was only demonstrated.” 

“ If it were only an opportunity of meeting the Arabs sword 
in hand, captain.” 

“ Pooh ! pooh ! my dear friend, take two swords if you 
choose. One who is full of fight can never get the battle on 
his own terms. Fill the Arabs with the schnapps of the poor 
Dane, and if they should make the smallest symptom of moving 
down towards us, I rely on you to give the alarm, in order that 
we may be ready for them. Trust to us for the overture of the 
piece^ as I trust to you for the overtures of peace.” 

“ In what way can w^e possibly do this, Mr. Monday ? How 
can we give the alarm in season ?” 

“ Why,” interposed the unmoved captain, “you may just 
shoot the sheik, and that will be killing two birds with one 
stone ; you will take your pistols, of course, and blaze away 
upon them, starboard and larboard ; rely on it, we shall hear 
you.” 

“ Of that I make no doubt, but I rather distrust the prudence 
of the step. That is, I declare, Mr. Monday, it looks awfully 
like tempting Providence ! I begin to have conscientious scru- 
ples. I hope you are quite certain, captain, there is nothing 
in all this against the laws of Africa ? Good moral and reli- 
gious infiuences are not to be overlooked. My mind is quite 
exercised in the premises !” 

“You are much too conscientious for a diplomatic man,” 
said Mr. Truck, between the pug’s at a fresh cigar. “You need 
not shoot any of the women, and what more does a man want ? 
Come, no more words, but to the duty heartily. Every one 
expects it of you, since no one can do it half so well ; and if 
you ever get back to Dodgeopolis, there will be matter for a 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


285 


paragraph every day of the year for the next six months. If 
any thing serious happen to you, trust to me to do your memo- 
ry justice.” 

“ Captain, captain, this trifling with the future is blasphe- 
mous ! Men seldom talk of death with impunity, and it really 
hurts my feelings to touch on such awful subjects so lightly. 
I will go, for I do not well see how the matter is to be helped ; 
but let us go amicably, and with such presents as will secure a 
good reception and a safe return.” 

“ Mr. Monday takes the liquor-case of the Dane, and you are 
welcome to any thing that is left, but the foremast. That I 
shall fight for, even if lions come out of the desert to help the 
Arabs.” 

Mr. Dodge had many more objections, some of which he 
urged openly, and more of which he felt in his inmost spirit. 
But for the unfortunate dive into the water, he certainly would 
have pleaded his immunities as a passenger, and plumply re- 
fused to be put forward on such an occasion ; but he felt that 
he was a disgraced man, and that some decided act of spirit 
was necessary to redeem his character. The neutrality observed 
by the Arabs, moreover, greatly encouraged him ; for he leaned 
to an opinion Captain Truck had expressed, that so long as 
a strong-armed party remained in the wreck, the sheik, if 
a man of any moderation and policy, would not proceed to 
violence. 

“You may tell him, gentlemen,” continued Mr. Truck, “that 
as soon as I have whipped the foremast out of the Dane, I will 
evacuate, and leave him the wreck, and all it contains. The 
stick can do him no good, and I want it in my heart’s core. 
Put this matter before him plainly, and there is no doubt we 
shall part the best friends in the world. Remember one thing, 
however, we shall set about lifting the spar the moment you 
quit us, and should there be any signs of an attack, give us 
notice in season, that we may take to our arms.” 

By this reasoning Mr. Dodge suffered himself to be persuaded 


286 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


to go on the mission, though his ingenuity and fears supplied 
an additional motive that he took very good care not to betray. 
Should there be a battle, he knew he would be expected to 
fight, if he remained with his own party, and if with the other, 
he might plausibly secrete himself until the affair was over ; 
for, with a man of his temperament, eventual slavery had less 
horrors than immediate death. 

When Mr. Monday and his co-commissioner ascended the 
bank, bearing the case of liquors and a few light offerings that 
the latter had found in the wreck, it was just as the crew, as- 
sured that the Arabs still remained tranquil, had seriously set 
about pursuing their great object. On the margin of the plain. 
Captain Truck look his leave of the ambassadors, though he 
remained some time to reconnoitre the appearance of things in 
the wild-looking camp, which was placed within two hundred 
yards of the spot on which he stood. The number of the Arabs 
had not certainly been exaggerated, and what gave him the 
most uneasiness was the fact that parties appeared to be con- 
stantly communicating with more, who probably lay behind a 
ridge of sand that bounded the view less than a mile distant 
inland, as they all went and came in that direction. After 
waiting to see his two envoyes in the very camp, he stationed a 
look-out on the bank, and returned to the wreck, to hurry on 
the all-important work. 

Mr. Monday was the efScient man of the two commissioners, 
so soon as they were fairly embarked in their enterprise. He 
was strong of nerves, and without imagination to fancy dangers 
where they were not very obvious, and had a great faith in the 
pacific virtues of the liquor-case. An Arab advanced to meet 
them, when near the tents ; and although conversation was 
quite out of the question, by pure force of gesticulations, aided 
by the single word “ sheik,” they succeeded in obtaining an 
introduction to that personage. 

The inhabitants of the desert have been so often described 
that we shall assume they are known to our readers, and pro- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


281 


ceed with our narrative the same as if we had to do with Chris- 
tians. Much of what has been written of the hospitality of the 
Arabs, if true of any portion of them, is hardly true of those 
tribes which frequent the Atlantic coast, where the practice of 
wrecking would seem to have produced the same effect on their 
habits and morals that it is known to produce elsewhere. But 
a ship protected by a few weatherworn and stranded mariners, 
and a ship defended by a strong and an armed party, like that 
headed by Captain Truck, presented very different objects to 
the cupidity of these barbarians. They knew the great advan- 
tage they possessed by being on their own ground, and were 
content to await events, in preference to risking a doubtful con- 
test. Several of the party had been at Mogadore, and other 
parts, and had acquired tolerably accurate ideas of the power 
of vessels ; and as they were confident the men now at work 
at the wreck had not the means of carrying away the cargo, 
their own principal object, curiosity and caution, connected 
with certain plans that were already laid among their leaders, 
kept them quiet, for the moment at least. 

These people were not so ignorant as to require to be told 
that some other vessel was at no great distance, and their scouts 
had been out in all directions to ascertain the fact, previously to 
taking their ultimate measures ; for the sheik himself had some 
pretty just notions of the force of a vessel of war, and of the 
danger of contending with one. The result of his policy, there- 
fore, will better appear in the course of the narrative. 

The reception of the two envoys of Captain Truck was masked 
by that smiling and courteous politeness which seems to diminish 
as one travels west, and to increase as he goes eastward ; though 
it was certainly less elaborate than would have been found in 
the palace of an Indian rajah. The sheik was not properly a 
sheik, nor was the party composed of genuine Arabs, though 
we have thus styled them from usage. The first, however, 
was a man in authority, and he and his followers possessed 


288 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


enough of the origin and characteristics of the tribes east of the 
Red Sea, to be sufficiently described by the appellation we have 
adopted. 

Mr. Monday and Mr. Dodge were invited by signs to be 
seated, and refreshments were offered. As the last were not 
particularly inviting, Mr. Monday was not slow in producing 
his own offering, and in recommending its quality, by setting 
example of the way in which it ought to be treated. Although 
Mussulmans, the hosts did not scruple about tasting the cup, 
and ten minutes of pantomime, potations, and grimaces, brought 
about a species of intimacy between the parties. 

The man who had been so unceremoniously captured the 
previous night by Captain Truck, was now introduced, and 
much curiosity was manifested to know whether his account of 
the disposition in the strangers to eat their fellow-creatures was 
true. The inhabitants of the desert, in the course of ages, had 
gleaned certain accounts of mariners eating their shipmates, 
from their different captives, and vague traditions to that effect 
existed among them, which the tale of this man had revived. 
Had the sheik kept a journal, like Mr. Dodge, the result of these 
inquiries would probably have been some entries concerning the 
customs and characters of the Americans, that were quite as 
original as those of the editor of the Active Inquirer concern- 
ing the different nations he had visited. 

Mr. Monday paid great attention to the pantomime of the 
Arab, in which that worthy endeavored to explain the disposi- 
tion of Captain Truck to make a barbecue of him : when it 
was ended, he gravely informed his companions that the sheik 
had invited them to stay for dinner, — a proposition that he was 
disposed to accept ; but the sensitiveness of Mr. Dodge viewed 
the matter otherwise, for, with a conformity of opinion that 
really said something in favor of the science of signs, he arrived 
at the same conclusion as the poor Arab himself — with the 
material difference, that he fancied that the Arabs were dis- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


289 


posed to make a meal of himself. Mr. Monday, who was a 
hearty beef and brandy personage, scouted the idea, and 
thought the matter settled, by pointing to two or three young 
camels, and asking the editor if he thought any man, Turk or 
Christian, would think of eating one so lank, meager, and un- 
inviting, as himself, when they had so much capital food of 
another sort at their elbow. “ Take your share of the liquor 
while it is passing, man, and set your heart at ease as to the 
dinner, which I make no doubt will be substantial and decent. 
Had I known of the favor intended us, I should have brought 
out the sheik a service of knives and forks from Birming- 
ham ; for he really seems a well-disposed and gentleman-like 
man. A very capital fellow, I dare say, we shall find him, 
after he has had a few camel’s steaks, and a proper allowance 
of schnapps. Mr. Sheik, I drink your health with all my 
heart.” 

The accidents of life could scarcely have brought together, 
in circumstances so peculiar, men whose characters were more 
completely the converse of each other than Mr. Monday and 
Mr. Dodge. They were perfect epitomes of two large classes 
in their respective nations, and so diametrically opposed to each 
other, that one could hardly recognize in them scions from a 
common stock. The first was dull, obstinate, straight-forward, 
hearty iu his manners, and not without sincerity, though wily 
in a bargain, with all his seeming frankness ; the last, distrust- 
ful, cunning rather than quick of comprehension, insincere, 
fawning when he thought his interests concerned, and jealous 
and detracting at all other times, with a coldness of exterior 
that had at least the merit of appearing to avoid deception. 
Both were violently prejudiced, though in Mr. Monday it was the 
prejudice of old dogmas in religion, politics, and morals ; and 
in the other, it was the vice of provincialism, and an education 
that was not entirely free from the fanaticism of the seventeenth 
century. One consequence of this discrepancy of character 

13 


290 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


was a perfect opposite manner of viewing matters in this in- 
terview. While Mr. Monday was disposed to take thiogs ami- 
cably, Mr. Dodge was all suspicion ; and had they then returned 
to the wreck, the last would have called to arms, while the first 
would have advised Captain Truck to go out and visit the sheik, 
in the manner one would visit a respectable and agreeable 
neighbor. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


291 


CHAPTER XX. 

“’Tis of more worth than kingdoms ! far more precious 
’Than all the crimson treasures of life’s fountain ! 

Oh, let it not elude thy grasp I” 

Cotton. 

Things were in this state, the sheik and his guests communi- 
cating by signs, in such a way as completely to mystify each 
other; Mr. Monday drinking, Mr. Dodge conjecturing, and 
parties quitting the camp and arriving every ten minutes, when 
an Arab pointed eagerly with his finger in the direction of the 
wreck. The head of the foremast was slowly rising, and the 
look-out in the top was clinging to the spar, which began to 
cant, in order to keep himself from falling* The sheik affected 
to smile ; but he was evidently disturbed, and two or three 
messengers were sent out into the camp. In the mean while, 
the spar began to lower, and was soon entirely concealed be- 
neath the bank. 

It was now apparent that the Arabs thought the moment had 
arrived when it was their policy to interfere. The sheik, there- 
fore, left his guests to be entertained by two or three others who 
had joined in the potations, and making the best assurances he 
could by means of signs, of his continued amity, he left the 
tent. Laying aside all his arms, attended by two or three old 
men like himself, he went boldly to the plank, and descended 
quietly to the sands, where he found Captain Truck busied in 
endeavoring to get the spar into the water. The top was al- 
ready afloat, and the stick itself was cut round in the right 
position for rolling, when the foul, but grave-looking barbarians 


292 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


appeared among the workmen. As the latter had been apprised 
of their approach, and of the fact of their being unarmed, no 
one left his employment to receive them, with the exception of 
Captain Truck himself. 

“Bear a hand with the spar, Mr. Leach,” he said, “while I 
entertain these gentlemen. It is a good sign that they come 
to us without arms, and it shall never he said that we are be- 
hind them in civility. Half an hour will settle our affairs, 
when these gentry are welcome to what will be left of the 
Dane. Your servant, gentlemen ; I^m glad to see you, and beg 
the honor to shake hands with all of yon, from the oldest to 
the youngest.” 

Although the Arabs understood nothing that was said, they 
permitted Captain Truck to give each of them a hearty shake 
of the hand, smiling and muttering their own compliments with 
as much apparent good-will as was manifested by the old sea- 
man himself. 

“ God help the Danes, if they have fallen into servitude 
among these blackguards !” said the captain, aloud, while he 
was shaking the sheik a second time most cordially by the 
hand, “ for a fouler set of thieves I never laid eyes on, Leach. 
Mr. Monday has tried the virtue of the schnapps on them, 
notwithstanding, for the odor of gin is mingled with that 
of grease, about the old scoundrel. Roll away at the spar, 
boys ! half-a-dozen more such heaves, and you will have him 
in his native element, as the newspapers call it. I’m glad 
to see you, gentlemen ; w'e are badly off as to chairs, on this 
beach, but to such as we have you are heartily welcome. Mr. 
Leach, the Arab sheik — Arab sheik, Mr. Leach. On the bank 
there ?” 

' “Sir.” 

“ Any movement among the Arabs ?” 

“ About thirty have just ridden back into the desert, mounted 
on camels, sir ; nothing more.” 

“No signs of our passengers ?” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


293 


“ Ay, ay, sir. Here comes Mr. Dodge under full sail, head- 
ing for the bank, as straight as he can lay his course !” 

“ Ha ! — Is he pursued ?” 

The men ceased their work, and glanced aside at their arms. 

“ Not at all, sir. Mr. Monday is calling after him, and the 
Arabs seem to be laughing. Mr. Monday is just splicing the 
main-brace with one of the rascals.” 

“ Let the Atlantic ocean, then, look out for itself, for Mr. Dodge 
will be certain to run over it. Heave away, my hearties, and the 
stick will be afloat yet before that gentleman is fairly docked.” 

The men worked with good-will, but their zeal was far less 
eflScient than that of the editor of the Active Inquirer, who now 
broke through the bushes, and plunged down the bank with a 
velocity which, if continued, would have carried him to Dodge- 
opolis itself within the month. The Arabs started at this sud- 
den apparition, but perceiving that those around them laughed, 
they were disposed to take the interruption in good part. The 
look-out now announced the approach of Mr. Monday, followed 
by fifty Arabs ; the latter, how^ever, being without arms, and 
the former without his hat. The moment was critical, but the 
steadiness of Captain Truck did not desert him. Issuing a 
rapid order to the second mate, with a small party previously 
selected for that duty, to stand by the arms, he urged the rest 
of the people to renewed exertions. Just as this was done, Mr. 
Monday appeared on the bank, with a bottle in one hand and 
a glass in the other, calling aloud to Mr. Dodge to return and 
drink with the Arabs. 

“ Do not disgrace Christianity in this unmannerly way,” he 
said ; “ but show these gentlemen of the desert that we know 
what propriety is. Captain Truck, I beg of you to urge Mr. 
Dodge to return. I was about to sing the Arabs ‘ God save the 
King,’ and in a few more minutes we should have had ‘ Kule 
Britannia,’ when we should have been the best friends and 
companions in the world. Captain Truck, I’ve the honor to 
drink your health.” 


294 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


But Captain Truck viewed the matter differently. Both his 
ambassadors were now safely hack, for Mr. Monday came down 
upon the beach, followed, it is true, by all the Arabs, and the 
mast was afloat. He thought it better, therefore, that Mr. 
Dodge should remain, and that the two parties should be as 
quietly, but as speedily as possible, separated. He ordered the 
hauling line to be fastened to the mast, and as the stick was 
slowly going out through the surf, he issued the order for the 
men to collect their implements, take their arms, and to assem- 
ble in a body at the rocks, where the jolly-boat still lay. 

“ Be quick, men, but be steady ; for there are a hundred of 
these rascals on the beach already, and all the last-comers are 
armed. We might pick up a few more useful things from the 
wreck, but the wind is coming in from the westward, and our 
principal concern now will be to save what we have got. Lead 
Mr. Monday along with you, Leach, for he is so full of diplo- 
macy and schnapps just now that he forgets his safety. As for 
Mr. Dodge, I see he is stowed away in the boat already, as 
^nug as the ground-tier in a ship loaded with molasses. Count 
the men off, sir, and see that no one is missing.” 

By this time, the state of things on the beach had undergone 
material changes. The wreck was full of Arabs, some of whom 
were armed and some not; while mauls, crows, handspikes, 
purchases, coils of rigging, and marline-spikes, were scattered 
about on the sands, just where they had been dropped by 
the seamen. A party of fifty Arabs had collected around the 
rocks, where, by this time, all the mariners were assembled, 
intermingling with the latter, and apparently endeavoring to 
maintain the friendly relations which had been established by 
Mr. Monday. As a portion of these men were also armed, 
Captain Truck disliked their proceedings ; but the inferiority 
of his numbers, and the disadvantage under which he was 
placed, compelled him to resort to management rather than 
force, in order to extricate himself. 

The Arabs now crowded around and intermingled with the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


295 


seamen, thronged the ship, and lined the hank, to the number 
of more than two hundred. It became evident that their true 
force had been underrated, and that additions were constantly 
making to it, from those who lay behind the ridges of sand. 
All those who appeared last had arms of one kind or another, 
and several brought firearms, which they gave to the sheik, 
and to those who had first descended to the beach. Still, every 
face seemed amicable, and the men were scarcely permitted to 
execute their orders, from the frequent interruptions to exchange 
tokens of friendship. 

But Captain Truck fully believed that hostilities were in- 
tended, and although he had suffered himself in some measure 
to be surprised, he set about repairing his error with great 
judgment and admirable steadiness. His first step was to extri- 
cate his own people from those who pressed upon them, a thing 
that was effected by causing a few to take a position, that 
might be defended, higher among the rocks, as they afforded a 
good deal of cover, and which communicated directly with the 
place where they had landed ; and then ordering the remainder 
of the men to fall back singly. To prevent an alarm, each man 
was called off by name, and in this manner the whole party 
had got within the prescribed limits, before the Arabs, who 
were vociferating and talking all together, seemed to be aware 
of the movement. When some of the latter attempted to fol- 
low, they were gently repulsed by the sentinels. All this time 
Captain Truck maintained the utmost cordiality towards the 
sheik, keeping near him, and amongst the Arabs himself. The 
work of plunder, in the mean time, had begun in earnest in the 
wreck, and this he thought a favorable symptom, as men thus 
employed would be less likely to make a hostile attack. Still 
he knew that prisoners were of great account among these bar- 
barians, and that an attempt to tow the raft off from the land, 
in open boats, where his people would be exposed to every shot 
from the wreck, would subject them to the greatest danger of 
defeat, were the former disposed to prevent it. 


296 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Having reflected a few minutes on his situation, Captain 
Truck issued his flnal orders. The jolly-boat might carry a 
dozen men at need, though they would be crowded and much 
exposed to Are ; and he, therefore, caused eight to get into her, 
and to pull out to the launch. Mr. Leach went with this party, 
for the double purpose of directing its movements, and of being 
separated from his commander, in order that one of those who 
were of so much importance to the packet, might at least stand 
a chance of being saved. This separation also was effected 
without alarming the Arabs, though Captain Truck observed 
that the sheik watched the proceeding narrowly. 

As soon as Mr. Leach had reached the launch, he caused a 
light kedge to be put into the jolly-boat, and coils of the light- 
est rigging he had were laid on the top of it, or were made on 
the bows of the launch. As soon as this was done, the boat 
was pulled a long distance off from the land, paying out the 
ropes Arst from the launch, and then from the boat itself, until 
no more of the latter remained. The kedge was then dropped, 
and the men in the launch began to haul in upon the ropes 
that were attached to it. As the jolly-boat returned imme- 
diately, and her crew joined in the work, the line of boats, the 
kedge by which they had previously ridden having been first 
raised, began slowly to recede from the shore. Captain Truck 
had rightly conjectured the effect of this movement. It was 
so unusual and so gradual, that the launch and the raft were 
warped up to the kedge before the Arabs fully comprehended 
its nature. The boats were now more than a quarter of a mile 
from the wreck, for Mr. Leach had run out quite two hundred 
fathoms of small rope, and, of course, so distant as greatly to 
diminish the danger from the muskets of the Arabs, though 
still within reach of their range. Near an hour was passed in 
effecting this point, which, as the sea and wind were both ris- 
ing, could not probably have been effected in any other man- 
ner half as soon, if at all. 

The state of the weather, and the increasing turbulence of 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


297 


the barbarians, now rendered it extremely desirable to all on 
the rocks to be in their boats again. A very moderate blow 
would compel them to abandon their hard-earned advantages, 
and it began to be pretty evident, from the manners of those 
around them, that amity could not much longer be maintained. 
Even the old sheik retired, and, instead of going to the wreck, 
he joined the party on the beach, where he was seen in earnest 
conversation with several other old men, all of whom gesticu- 
lated vehemently, as they pointed towards the boats and to the 
party on the rocks. 

Mr. Leach now pulled in towards the bar, with both the 
jolly-boats and the cutter, having only two oars each, half his 
men being left in the launch. This was done that the people 
might not be crowded at the critical moment, and that, at need, 
there might be room to fight as well as to row ; all these pre- 
cautions having been taken in consequence of Captain Truck’s 
previous orders. When the boats reached the rocks, the people 
did not hurry into them ; but a quarter of an hour was passed 
in preparations, as if they were indifferent about proceeding, 
and even then the jolly-boat alone took in a portion, and pulled 
leisurely without the bar. Here she lay on her oars, in order 
to cover the passage of the other boats, if necessary, with her 
fire. The cutter imitated this manceuvre, and the boat of the 
wreck went last. Captain Truck quitted the rock after all the 
others, though his embarkation was made rapidly by a prompt 
and sudden movement. 

Hot a shot was fired, however, and, contrary to his own most 
ardent hopes, the captain found himself at the launch, with all 
his people unhurt, and with all the spars he had so much 
desired to obtain. The forbearance of the Arabs was a mys- 
tery to him, for he had fully expected hostilities would com- 
mence, every moment, for the last two hours. Nor was he yet 
absolutely out of danger, though there was time to pause and 
look about him, and to take his succeeding measures more 
deliberately. The first report was a scarcity of both food and 

13 ^ 


298 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


water. For both these essentials the men had depended on 
the wreck, and, in the eagerness to secure the foremast, and 
subsequently to take care of themselves, these important re- 
quisites had been overlooked, quite probably, too, as much from 
a knowledge that the Montauk was so near, as from hurry. 
Still both were extremely desirable, if not indispensable, to men 
who had the prospect of many hours’ hard work before them ; 
and Captain Truck’s first impulse was to dispatch a boat to the 
ship for supplies. This intention was reluctantly abandoned, 
however, on account of the threatening appearance of the 
weather. 

There was no danger of a gale, but a smart sea-breeze was 
beginning to set in, and the surface of the ocean was, as usual, 
getting to be agitated. Changing all his plans, therefore, the 
captain turned his immediate attention to the safety of the all- 
important spars. 

“We can eat to-morrow, men,” he said ; “ but if we lose 
these sticks, our chance for getting any more will indeed be 
small. Take a gang on the raft, Mr. Leach, and double all the 
lashings, while I see that we get an oflSng. If the wind rises 
any more, we shall need it, and even then be worse off than 
we could wish.” 

The mate passed upon the raft, and set about securing all 
the spars by additional fastenings ; for the working, occasioned 
by the sea, already rendered them loose, and liable to separate. 
While this was in train, the two jolly-boats took in lines and 
kedges, of which, luckily, they had one that was brought from 
the packet, besides two found in the wreck, and pulled off into 
the ocean. As soon as one kedge was dropped, that by which 
the launch rode was tripped, and the boats were hauled up to 
it, the other jolly-boat proceeding on to renew the process. In 
this manner, in the course of two more hours, the whole, raft 
and all, were warped broad off from the land, and to windward, 
quite two miles, when the water became so deep that Captain 
Truck reluctantly gave the order to cease. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


299 


“ I would gladly work our way into the offing in this mode, 
three or four leagues,” he said, “ by which means we might 
make a fair wind of it. As it is, we must get all clear, and do 
as well as we can. Kig the masts in the launch, Mr. Leach, 
and we will see what can be done with this dull craft we have 
in tow.” 

While this order was in course of execution, the glass was 
used to ascertain the manner in which the Arabs were occupied. 
To the surprise of all in the boats, every soul of them had dis- 
appeared. The closest scrutiny could not detect one near the 
wreck, on the beach, nor even at the spot where the tents had 
so lately stood. 

“ They are all off, by George !” cried Captain Truck, when 
fully satisfied of the fact. “ Camels, tents, and Arabs ! The 
rascals have loaded their beasts already, and most probably 
have gone to hide their plunder, that they may be back and 
make sure of a second haul, before any of their precious brother 

vultures, up in the sands, get a scent of the carrion. D n 

the rogues ! I thought at one time they had me in a category ! 
Well, joy be with them ! Mr. Monday, I return you my hearty 
thanks for the manly, frank, and diplomatic manner in which 
you have discharged the duties of your mission. Without 
you, we might not have succeeded in getting the foremast. Mr. 
Dodge, you have the high consolation of knowing that, through- 
out this trying occasion, you have conducted yourself in a way 
no other man of the party could have done.” 

Mr. Monday was sleeping off the fumes of the schnapps, but 
Mr. Dodge bowed to the compliment, and foresaw many capital 
things for the journal, and for the columns of the Active In- 
quirer. He even began to meditate a book. 

How commenced much the most laborious and critical part 
of the service that Captain Truck had undertaken, if we except 
the collision with the Arabs — that of towing all the heavy 
spars of a large ship, in one raft, in the open sea, near a coast, 
and with the wind blowing on shore. It is true he was strong- 


300 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


handed, being able to put ten oars in the launch, and four in 
all the other boats ; but, after making sail, and pulling steadily 
for an hour, it was discovered that all their exertions would not 
enable them to reach the ship, if the wind stood, before the 
succeeding day. The drift to leeward, or towards the beach, 
was seriously great, every heave of the sea setting them bodily 
down before it ; and by the time they were half a mile to the 
southward, they were obliged to anchor, in order to keep clear of 
the breakers, which by this time extended fully a mile from shore. 

Decision was fortunately Captain Truck’s leading quality. 
He foresaw the length and severity of the struggle that was 
before them ; and the men had not been pulling ten minutes, 
before he ordered Mr. Leach, who was in the cutter, to cast off 
his line and to come alongside the launch. 

“ Pull back to the wreck, sir,” he said, “ and bring off all 
you can lay hands on, in the way of bread, water, and other 
comforts. We shall make a night of it, I see. We will keep 
a look-out for you, and if any Arabs heave in sight on the 
plain, a musket will be fired ; if so many as to render a hint 
to abscond necessary, two muskets will be fired, and the main- 
sail of the launch will be furled for two minutes ; more time 
than that we cannot spare you.” 

Mr. Leach obeyed this order, and with great success. Luckily 
the cook had left the coppers full of food, enough to last 
twenty-four hours, and this had escaped the Arabs, who were 
ignorant where to look for it. In addition, there was plenty 
of bread and water ; and “ a bull of Jamaica” had been dis- 
covered, by the instinct of one of the hands, which served ad- 
mirably to keep the people in good-humor. This timely supply 
had arrived just as the launch anchored, and Mr. Truck wel- 
comed it with all his heart ; for without it, he foresaw he should 
soon be obliged to abandon his precious prize. 

When the people were refreshed, the long and laborious pro- 
cess of warping off the land was resumed, and, in the course 
of two hours more, the raft was got fully a league into the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


301 


offiug, a shoal permitting the hedges to be used farther out this 
time than before. Then sail was again made, and the oars were 
once more plied. But the sea still proved their enemy, though 
they had struck the current which began to set them south. 
Had there been no wind and sea, the progress of the boats 
would now have been comparatively easy and quick ; but these 
two adverse powers drove them in towards the beach so fast, 
that they had scarcely made two miles from the wreck when 
they were compelled a second time to anchor. 

No alternative remained but to keep warping off in this 
manner, and then to profit by the ofiing they had made as well 
as they could, the result bringing them at sunset nearly up with 
the headland that shut out the view of their own vessel, from 
which Captain Truck now calculated that he was distant a little 
less than two leagues. The wind had freshened, and though it 
was not by any means so strong as to render the sea dangerous, 
it increased the toil of the men to such a degree, that he re- 
luctantly determined to seek out a proper anchorage, and to 
give his wearied people some rest. 

It was not in the power of the seamen to carry their raft into 
any haven, for to the northward of the headland, or on the 
side on which they were, there was no reef, nor any bay to 
afford them shelter. The coast was one continued waving line 
of sand-banks, and in most places, when there was a wind, the 
water broke at the distance of a mile from the beach ; the 
precise spot where the Dane had stranded his vessel, having 
most probably been chosen for that purpose, with a view to 
save the lives of the people. Under these circumstances no- 
thing remained but to warp off again to a safe distance, and to 
secure the boats as well as they could for the night. This was 
effected by eight o’clock, and Captain Truck gave the order to 
let go two additional hedges, being determined not to strike 
adrift in the darkness, if it was in his power to prevent it. 
When this was done, the people had their suppers, a watch was 
set, and the remainder went to sleep. 


302 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


As the three passengers had been exempted from the toil, 
they volunteered to look out for the safety of the boats until 
midnight, in order that the men might obtain as much rest as 
possible ; and half an hour after the crew were lost in the deep 
slumber of seamen. Captain Truck and these gentlemen were 
seated in the launch, holding a dialogue on the events of the 
day. 

“You found the Arabs conversable and ready at the cup, Mr. 
Monday ?” observed the captain, lighting a cigar, which with 
him was a never-failing sign for a gossip : “ men that, if they 
had been sent to school young, taught to dance, and were 
otherwise civilized, might make reasonably good shipmates, in 
this roving world of ours ?” 

“ Upon my word, sir, I look upon the sheik as uncommon 
gentlemanlike, and altogether as a good fellow. He took his 
glass without any grimaces, smiled whenever he said any thing, 
though I could not understand a word he said, and answered 
all my remarks quite as civilly as if he spoke English. I must 
say, I think Mr. Dodge manifested a want of consideration in 
quitting his company with so little ceremony. The gentleman 
was hurt. I’ll answer for it, and he would say as much if he 
could only make out to explain himself on the subject. Sir 
George, I regret we had not the honor of your company on the 
occasion, for I have been told these Arabs have a proper respect 
for the nobility and gentry. Mr. Dodge and myself were but 
poor substitutes for a gentleman like yourself.” 

The trained humility of Mr. Monday was little to the liking 
of Mr. Dodge, who by the sheer force of the workings of envy 
had so long been endeavoring to persuade others that he was 
the equal of any and every other man — a delusion, however, in 
which he could not succeed in persuading himself to fall into — 
and he was not slow in exhibiting the feeling it awakened. 

“ Sir George Templemore has too just a sense of the rights 
of nations to make this distinction, Mr. Monday,” he said. “ If 
I left the Arab sheik a little abruptly, it was because I disliked 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


303 


his ways ; for I take it Africa is a free country, and that no 
man is obliged to remain longer in a tent than it suits his own 
convenience. Captain Truck knows that I was merely running 
down the beach to inform him that the sheik intended to follow, 
and he no doubt appreciates my motive.” 

“ If not, Mr. Dodge,” put in the captain, “ like other patriots, 
you must trust to posterity to do you justice. The joints and 
sinews are so differently constructed in different men, that one 
never knows exactly how to calculate on speed ; but this much 
I will make affidavit to, if you wish it, on reaching home, and 
that is, that a better messenger could not be found than Mr. 
Steadfast Dodge, for a man in a hurry. Sir George Temple- 
more, we have had but a few of your opinions since you came 
out on this expedition, and I should be gratified to hear your 
sentiments concerning the Arabs, and any thing else that may 
suggest itself at the moment.” 

“ Oh, captain ! I think the wretches odiously dirty, and 
judging from appearances, I should say sadly deficient in com- 
forts.” 

“ In the way of breeches in particular ; for I am inclined to 
think. Sir George, you are master of more than are to be found 
in their whole nation. Well, gentlemen, one must certainly 
travel who wishes to see the world ; but for this sheer down 
here upon the coast of Africa, neither of us might have ever 
known how an Arab lives, and what a nimble wrecker he 
makes. For my own part, if the choice lay between filling the 
office of Jemmy Ducks, on board the Montauk, and that of 
sheik in this tribe, I should, as we say in America, Mr. Dodge, 
leave it to the people, and do all in my power to obtain the 
first situation. Sir George, I’m afraid all these county tongues^ 
as Mr. Dodge calls them, in the way of wind and weather, will 
quite knock the buffalo hunt on the prairies in the head, for 
this fall at least.’^ 

“ I beg, Captain Truck, you will not discredit my French in 
this way. I do not call a disappointment ‘ county tongues' but 


304 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


‘ contra toms the phrase probably coming from some person 
of the name of tom^ who was contra^ or opposed to every one 
else.” 

“ Perfectly explained, and as clear as bilge-water. Sir George, 
has Mr. Dodge mentioned to you the manner in which these 
Arabs enjoy life? The gentlemen, by way of saving dish- 
water, eat half-a-dozen at a time out of the same plate. Quite 
republican, and altogether without pride, Mr. Dodge, in their 
notions.” 

“ Why, sir, many of their habits struck me as being simple 
and praiseworthy, during the short time I remained in their 
country ; and I dare say, one who had leisure to study them 
might find materials for admiration. I can readily imagine 
situations in which a man has no right to appropriate a whole 
dish to himself.” 

“ No doubt, and he who wishes a thing so unreasonable must 
be a great hog. What a thing is sleep ! Here are these fine 
fellows as much lost to their dangers and toils as if at home, 
and tucked in by their careful and pious mothers. Little did 
the good souls who nursed them, and sung pious songs over 
their cradles, fancy the hardships they were bringing them up 
to ! But we never know our fates, or miserable dogs most of 
us would be. Is it not so. Sir George ?” 

The baronet started at this appeal, which crossed the quaint 
mind of the captain as a cloud darkens a sunny view, and he 
muttered a hasty expression of hope that there was now no 
particular reason to expect any more serious obstacles to their 
reaching the ship. 

“ It is not an easy thing to tow a heavy raft in light boats 
like these, exactly in the direction you wish it to go,” returned 
the captain, gaping. “ He who trusts to the winds and waves, 
trusts an uncertain friend, and one who may fail him at the 
very moment when there is most need of their services. Fair 
as things now seem, I would give a thousand dollars of a small 
stock, in which no single dollar has been lightly earned, to see 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


305 


these spars safely on board the Montank, and snugly fitted to 
their proper places. Sticks, gentlemen, are to a ship what 
limbs are to a man. Without them she rolls and tumbles 
about as winds, currents, and seas will ; while with them she 
walks, and dances, and jumps Jim Crow ; ay, almost talks. 
The standing rigging are the bones and gristle ; the running 
gear the veins in which her life circulates ; and the blocks the 
joints.” 

“ And which is the heart ?” asked Sir George. 

“ Her heart is the master. With a sufficient commander no 
stout ship is ever lost, so long as she has a foot of water beneath 
her false keel, or a ropeyarn left to turn to account.” 

“ And yet the Dane had all these.” 

“ All but the water. The best craft that was ever launched, 
is of less use than a single camel, if laid high and dry on the 
sands of Africa. These poor wretches truly ! And yet their 
fate might have been ours, though I thought little of the risk 
while we were in the midst of the Arabs. It is still a mystery 
to me why they let us escape, especially as they so soon desert- 
ed the wreck. They were strong-handed, too ; counting all 
who came and went, I think not less than several hundreds.” 

The captain now became silent and thoughtful, and, as the 
wind continued to rise, he began to feel uneasiness about his 
ship. Once or twice he expressed a half-formed determination 
to pull to her in one of the light boats, in order to look after 
her safety in person, and then he abandoned it, as he witnessed 
the rising of the sea, and the manner in which the massive raft 
caused the cordage by which it was held to strain. At length 
he too fell asleep, and we shall leave him and his party for 
a while, and return to the Montauk, to give an account of what 
occurred on board that ship. 


306 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

“ Nothing beside remains ! Round the decay 
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, 

The lone and level sands stretch far away.” 

Shellby. 

As Captain Truck was so fully aware of the importance of 
rapid movements to the success of his enterprise, it will be re- 
membered that he left in the ship no seaman, no servant, ex- 
cept Saunders the steward, and, in short, no men but the two 
Messrs. Effingham, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Blunt, and the other per- 
son just mentioned. If to these be added. Eve Effingham, 
Mademoiselle Yiefville, Ann Sidley, and a French femme de 
chamhre^ the whole party will be enumerated. At first, it had 
been the intention of the master to leave one of his mates 
behind him, but, encouraged by the secure berth he had found 
for his vessel, the great strength of his moorings, the little 
hold the winds and waves could get of spars so robbed of their 
proportions, and of a hull so protected by the reef, and feeling 
a certain confidence in the knowledge of Mr. Blunt, who, 
several times during the passage, had betrayed a great famili- 
arity with ships, he came to the decision named, and had for- 
mally placed the last-named gentleman in full charge, ad interim^ 
of the Montauk. 

There was a solemn and exciting interest in the situation of 
those who remained in the vessel, after the party of bustling 
seamen had left them. The night came in bland and tranquil, 
and although there was no moon, they walked the deck for 
hours with strange sensations of enjoyment, mingled with those 
of loneliness and desertion. Mr. Effingham and his cousin 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


307 


retired to their rooms long before the others, who continued 
their exercise with a freedom and an absence of restraint, that 
they had not before felt, since subjected to the confinement of 
the ship. 

“ Our situation is at least novel,” Eve observed, “ for a party 
of Parisians, Yiennois, Romans, or by whatever name we may 
be properly styled.” 

“ Say Swiss, then,” returned Mr. Blunt ; “ for I believe 
that even the cosmopolite has a claim to choose his favorite 
residence.” 

Eve understood the allusion, which carried her back to the 
weeks they had passed in company, among the grand scenery 
of the Alps ; but she would not betray the consciousness, for, 
whatever may be the ingenuousness of a female, she seldom 
loses her sensitiveness on the subject of her more cherished 
feelings. 

“ And do you prefer Switzerland to all the other countries of 
your acquaintance ?” asked Mr. Sharp : “ England I leave out 
of the question, for, though we, who belong to the island, see 
so many charms in it, it must be conceded that strangers sel- 
dom join us very heartily in its praises. I think most travellers 
would give the palm to Italy.” 

“ I am quite of the same opinion,” returned the other ; “ and 
were I to be confined to a choice of a residence for life, Italy 
should be my home. Still, I think, that we like change in our 
residence, as well as in the seasons. Italy is summer, and one, 
I fear, would weary of even an eternal June.” 

“ Is not Italy rather autumn, a country in which the harvest 
is gathered, and where one begins already to see the fall of the 
leaf?” 

“ To me,” said Eve, “ it would be an eternal summer ; as 
thiiigs are eternal with young ladies. My ignorance would be 
always receiving instruction, and my tastes improvement. But, 
if Italy be summer, or autumn, what is poor America ?” 

“ Spring of course,” civilly answered Mr. Sharp. 


508 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ And, do you, Mr. Blunt, who seem to know all parts of the 
world equally well, agree in giving our country, my country at 
least, this encouraging title ?” 

“ It is merited in many respects, though there are others in 
which the term winter would, perhaps, be better applied. Ameri- 
ca is a country not easily understood ; for, in some particulars, 
like Minerva, it has been born full-grown ; while, in others, it is 
certainly still an infant.” 

“ In what particulars do you especially class it with the latter?” 
inquired Mr. Sharp. 

“ In strength, to commence,” answered the other, slightly 
smiling; “in opinions, too, and in tastes, and perhaps in knowl- 
edge. As to the latter essential, however, and practical things 
as well as in the commoner comforts, America may well claim 
to be in midsummer, when compared with other nations. I 
do not think you Americans, Miss Effingham, at the head of 
civilization, certainly, as so many of your own people fancy ; 
nor yet at the bottom, as so many of those of Mademoiselle 
Viefville and Mr. Sharp so piously believe.” 

“ And what are the notions of the countrymen of Mr. Blunt, 
on the subject ?” 

“ As far from the truth, perhaps, as any other. I perceive 
there exist some doubts as to the place of my nativity,” he 
added, after a pause that denoted a hesitation, which all hoped 
was to end in his setting the matter at rest, by a simple state- 
ment of the fact ; “ and I believe I shall profit by the circum- 
stance, to praise and condemn at pleasure, since no one can 
impeach my candor, or impute either to partialities or pre- 
judices.” 

“ That must depend on the justice of your judgments. In 
one thing, however, you will have me on your side, and that is 
in giving the 'past to delicious, dreamy Italy ! Though Made- 
moiselle Viefville will set this down as Use majeste against cher 
Paris ; and I fear, Mr. Sharp will think even London injured.” 

“ Do you really hold London so cheap ?” inquired the latter 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


309 


gentleman, with more interest than he himself was quite aware 
of betraying. 

“ Indeed, no. This would be to discredit my own tastes and 
knowledge. In a hundred things, I think London quite the 
finest town of Christendom. It is not Rome, certainly, and 
were it in ruins fifteen centuries, I question if people would 
flock to the banks of the Thames to dream away existence 
among its crumbling walls ; but, in conveniences, beauty of 
verdure, a mixture of park-like scenery and architecture, and 
in magnificence of a certain sort, one would hardly know where 
to go to find the equal of London.” 

“ You say nothing of its society, Miss Effingham ?” 

“ It would be presuming, in a girl of my limited experience 
to speak of this. I hear so much of the good sense of the na- 
tion, that I dare not say aught against its society, and it would 
be aflectation for me to pretend to commend it ; but as for your 
females, judging by my own poor means, they strike me as be- 
ing singularly well cultivated and accomplished ; and yet — ” 

“ Go on, I entreat you. Recollect we have solemnly decided 
in a general congress of states to be cosmopolites, until safe 
within Sandy Hook, and that la franchise is the mot d^ordref 

“ Well, then, I should not certainly describe you English as 
a talking people,” continued Eve, laughing. “ In the way of 
society, you are quite as agreeable as a people, who never laugh 
and seldom speak, can possibly make themselves.” 

les jeunes Am^ricainesP said Mademoiselle Viefville, 
laconically. 

“ My dear mademoiselle, your question is terrific ! Mr. Blunt 
has informed me that they actually giggle !” 

“ Quelle horreur /” 

“ It is bad enough, certainly ; but I ascribe the report to 
calumny. No ; if I must speak, let me have Paris for its so- 
ciety, and Naples for its nature. As respects New York, Mr. 
Blunt, I suspend my judgment.” 

“ Whatever may be the particular merit which shall most 


310 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


attract your admiration in favor of the great emporium, as the 
grandiloquent writers term the capital of your own State, I think 
I can venture to predict it will be neither of those just men- 
tioned. Of society, indeed. New York has positively none : 
like London, it has plenty of company, which is disciplined 
something like a regiment of militia composed of drafts from 
different brigades, and which sometimes mistakes the drum- 
major for the colonel.” 

“ I had fancied you a New Yorker, until now,” observed Mr. 
Sharp. 

“ And why not now ? Is a man to be blind to facts as evi- 
dent as the noon-day sun, because he was born here or there ? If 
I have told you an unpleasant truth. Miss Effingham, you must 
accuse la franchise of the offence. I believe you are not a 
Manhattanese ?” 

“I am a mountaineer; having been born at my father’s 
country residence.” 

“ This gives me courage, then, for no one here will have his 
filial piety shocked.” 

“ Not even yourself ?” 

“ As for myself,” returned Paul Blunt, “ it is settled I am a 
cosmopolite in fact, while you are only a cosmopolite by con- 
vention. Indeed, I question if I might take the same liberties 
with either Paris or London, that I am about to take with 
palmy Manhattan. I should have little confidence in the for- 
bearance of my auditors ; Mademoiselle Viefville would hardly 
forgive me, were I to attempt a criticism on the first, for in- 
stance.” 

“ G'est impossible ! you could not. Monsieur Blunt ; vous par- 
lez trop hien Frangais not to love Paris'^ 

“ I (?o love Paris, mademoiselle ; and what is more, I love 
Londres, or even la Nouvelle Yorch. As a cosmopolite, I claim 
this privilege, at least, though I can see defects in all. If you 
will recollect. Miss Effingham, that New York is a social 
bivouac, a place in which families encamp instead of troops, you 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


311 


will see the impossibility of its possessing a graceful, well- 
ordered, and cultivated society. Then the town is commercial ; 
and no place of mere commerce can well have a reputation for 
its society. Such an anomaly, I beheve, never existed. What- 
ever may be the usefulness of trade, I fancy few will contend 
that it is very graceful.” 

“ Florence of old ?” said Eve. 

“ Florence and her commerce were peculiar, and the relations 
of things change with circumstances. When Florence was 
great, trade was a monopoly, in a few hands, and so conducted 
as to remove the principals from immediate contact with its 
affairs. The Medici traded in spices and silks, as men traded 
in politics, through agents. They probably never saw their 
ships, or had any further connection with their commerce, than 
to direct its spirit. ‘ They were more like the legislator who 
enacts laws to regulate trade, than the dealer who fingers a 
sample, smells at a wine, or nibbles a grain. The Medici were 
merchants, a class of men altogether different from the mere 
factors, who buy of one to sell to another, at a stated advance 
in price, and all of whose enterprise consists in extending the 
list of safe customers, and of doing what is called a ‘ regular 
business.’ Monopolies do harm on the whole, but they cer- 
tainly elevate the favored few. The Medici and the Strozzi 
were both princes and merchants, while those around them 
were principally dependents. Competition, in our day, has let 
in thousands to share in the benefits ; and the pursuit, while it 
is enlarged as a whole, has suffered in its parts by division.” 

“ You surely do not complain that a thousand are comforta- 
ble and respectable to-day, for one that was il magnijico three 
hundred years since ?” 

“ Certainly not. I rejoice in the change; but we must not 
confound names with things. If we have a thousand mere fac- 
tors for one merchant, society, in the general signification of 
the word, is clearly a gainer ; but if we had one Medici for a 
thousand factors, society, in its particular signification, might 


312 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


also be a gainer. All I mean is, that, in lowering the pursuit, 
we have necessarily lowered its qualifications ; in other words, 
every man in trade in New York, is no more a Lorenzo, than 
every printer’s devil is a Franklin.” 

“ Mr. Blunt cannot be an American !” cried Mr. Sharp ; “ for 
these opinions would be heresy.” 

Jamais^ jamais joined the governess. 

“ You constantly forget the treaty of cosmopolitism. But a 
capital error is abroad concerning America on this very subject 
of commerce. In the way of merchandise alone, there is not a 
Christian maritime nation of any extent, that has a smaller 
portion of its population engaged in trade of this sort, than the 
United States of America. The nation, as a nation, is agricul- 
tural, though the state of transition, in which a country in the 
course of rapid settlement must always exist, causes more buy- 
ing and selling of real property than is usual. Apart from this 
peculiarity, the Americans, as a whole people, have not the 
common European proportions of ordinary dealers.” 

“ This is not the prevalent opinion,” said Mr. Sharp. 

“ It is not, and the reason is, that all American towns, or 
nearly all that are at all known in other countries, are purely 
commercial towns. The trading portion of a community is 
always the concentrated portion, too ; and of course, in the ab- 
sence of a court, of a political, or of a social capital, it has the 
greatest power to make itself heard and felt, until there is a 
direct appeal to the other classes. The elections commonly 
show quite as little sympathy between the majority and the 
commercial class as is consistent with the public welfare. In 
point of fact, America has but a very small class of real mer- 
chants, men who are the cause and not a consequence of com- 
merce, though she has exceeding activity in the way of ordinary 
traffic. The portion of her people who are engaged as factors 
— for this is the true calling of the man who is a regular agent 
between the common producer and the common consumer — 
are of a high class as factors, but not of the high class of mer- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


313 


chants. The man who orders a piece of silk to he manufactured 
at Lyons, at three francs a yard, to sell it in the regular course 
of the season to the retailer at three francs and a half, is no 
more a true merchant than the attorney, who goes through the 
prescribed forms of the court in his pleadings, is a barrister.” 

“ I do not think these sentiments will he very popular at 
home, as Mr. Dodge says,” Eve laughingly remarked; “but 
when shall we reach that home ? While we are talking of 
these things, here are we, in an almost deserted ship, within a 
mile of the great Desert of Sahara ! How beautiful are the 
stars, mademoiselle ! we have: never before seen a vault so 
studded with brilliants.” 

“ That must be owing to the latitude,” Mr. Sharp observed. 

“ Certainly. Can any one say in what latitude we are pre- 
cisely ?” As Eve asked this question, she unconsciously turned 
towards Mr. Blunt ; for the ^vhole party had silently come to 
the conclusion that he knew more of ships and navigation than 
all of them united. 

“ I believe we are not far from twenty-four, which is bring- 
ing us near the tropics, and places us quite sixteen degrees to 
the southward of our port. These two affairs of the chase and 
of the gale have driven us fully twelve hundred miles from the 
course we ought to have taken.” 

“ Fortunately, mademoiselle, there are none to feel apprehen- 
sions on our account, or none whose interest will he so keen as 
to create a very lively distress. I hope, gentlemen, you are 
equally at ease on this score ?” 

This was the first time Eve had ever trusted herself to put 
an interrogatory that might draw from Paul Blunt any com- 
munication that would directly touch upon his connections. 
She repented of the speech as soon as made, but causelessly, as 
it drew from the young man no answer. Mr. Sharp observed 
that his friends in England could scarcely know of their situa- 
tion, until his own letters would arrive to relieve their minds. 
As for Mademoiselle Viefville, the hard fortune which reduced 

14 


314 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


her to the office of a governess, had almost left her without 
natural ties. 

“ I believe we are to have watch and ward to-night,” resumed 
Eve, after the general pause had continued some little time. 
“ Is it not possible for the elements to put us in the same pre- 
dicament as that in which we found the poor Dane ?” 

“Possible, certainly, but scarcely probable,” returned Mr. 
Blunt. “ The ship is well moored, and this narrow ledge of 
rocks, between us and the ocean, serves admirably for a break- 
water. One would not like to be stranded, helpless as we are 
at this moment, on a coast like this !” 

“Why so particularly helpless? You allude to the absence 
of our crew ?” 

“ To that, and to the fact that, I believe, we could not mus- 
ter as much as a pocket-pistol to defend ourselves with, every 
thing in the shape of firearms having been sent with the party 
in the boats.” 

“ Might we not lie on the beach, here, for days, even weeks,” 
inquired Mr. Sharp, “ without being discovered by the Arabs ?” 

“I fear not. Mariners have told me that the barbarians 
hover along the shores, especially after gales, in the hope of 
meeting with wrecks, and it is surprising how soon they gain 
intelligence of any disaster. It is seldom there is even an op- 
portunity to escape in a boat.” 

“ I hope here, at least, we are safe ?” cried Eve, in a little 
terror, and shuddering, as much in playfulness as in real alarm. 

“ I see no grounds of concern where we are, so long as we 
can keep the ship off the shore. The Arabs have no boats, and 
if they had, they would not dare to attack a vessel that floated, 
in one, unless aware of her being as truly helpless as we happen 
at this moment to be.” 

“ This is a chilling consolation, but I shall trust in your good 
care, gentlemen. Mademoiselle, it is drawing near midnight, I 
believe.” 

Eve and her companion then courteously wished the two 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


315 


young men good-night, and retired to their staterooms ; Mr. 
Sharp remained an hour longer with Mr. Blunt, who had un- 
dertaken to watch the first few hours, conversing with a light 
heart and gaily ; for, though there was a secret consciousness 
of rivalry between these two young men on the subject of Eve’s 
favor, it was a generous and manly competition, in which each 
did the other ample justice. They talked of their travels, their 
views of customs and nations, their adventures in different 
countries, and of the pleasure each had felt in visiting spots re- 
nowned by association or the arts ; hut not a word was haz- 
arded by either concerning the young creature who had just 
left them, and whom each still saw in his mind’s eye, long after 
her light and graceful form had disappeared. At length Mr. 
Sharp went below, his companion insisting on being left alone, 
under the penalty of remaining up himself during the second 
watch. From this time, for several hours, there was no other 
noise in the ship than the tread of the solitary watchman. At 
the appointed period of the night, a change took place, and he 
who had watched, slept; while he who had slept, watched. 
Just as day dawned, however, Paul Blunt, who was in a deep 
sleep, felt a shake at his shoulder. 

“ Pardon me,” cautiously whispered Mr. Sharp : “ I fear we 
are about to have a most unpleasant interruption to our solitude.” 

“ Heavenly powers ! — Not the Arabs ?” 

“ I fear no less : but it is still too dark to be certain of the 
fact. If you will rise, we can consult on the situation in which 
we are placed. I beg you to be quick.” 

Paul Blunt had hastily risen on an arm, and he now passed 
a hand over his brow, as if to make certain that he was awake. 
He had not undressed himself, and in another moment he stood 
on his feet in the middle of the stateroom. 

“This is too serious to allow of mistake. We will not alarm 
her, then ; we will not give any alarm, sir, until certain of the 
calamity.” 

“ In that ! entirely agree with you,” returned Mr. Sharp, who 


316 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


was perfectly calm, though evidently distressed. I may be mis- 
taken, and wish your opinion. All on board but us two are in 
a profound sleep.” 

The other drew on his coat, and in a minute both were on 
deck. The day had not yet dawned, and the light was scarce 
sufficient to distinguish objects even near as those on the reef, 
particularly when they were stationary. The rocks themselves, 
however, were visible in places, for the tide was out, and most 
of the upper portion of the ledge was bare. The two gentle- 
men moved cautiously to the bows of the vessel, and, concealed 
by the bulwarks, Mr. Sharp pointed out to his companion the 
objects that had given him the alarm. 

“ Do you see the pointed rock a little to the right of the spot 
where the kedge is placed?” he said, pointing in the direction 
that he meant. “ It is now naked, and I am quite certain there 
was an object on it, when I went below, that has since moved 
away.” 

“It may have been a sea-bird ; for we are so near the day, 
some of them are probably in motion. Was it large ?” 

“ Of the size of a man’s head, apparently ; but this is by no 
means all. Here, farther to the north, I distinguished three 
objects in motion, wading in the water, near the point where 
the rocks are never bare.” 

“ They may have been herons ; the bird is often found in 
these low latitudes, I believe. I can discover nothing.” 

“ I would to God, I may have been mistaken, though I do 
not think I could be so much deceived.” . 

Paul Blunt caught his arm, and held, it like one who listened 
intently. 

“ Heard you that ?” he whispered hurriedly. 

“ It sounded like the clanking of iron.” 

“ Looking around, the other found a handspike, and passing 
swiftly up the heel of the bowsprit, he stood between the knight- 
heads. Here he bent forward, and looked intently towards the 
lines of chains which lay over the bulwarks, as bow-fasts. Of 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


317 


these chains the parts led quite near each other, in parallel 
lines, and as the ship’s moorings were taut, they were hanging 
in merely a slight curve. From the rocks, or the place where 
the hedges were laid to a point within thirty feet of the ship, 
these chains were dotted with living beings crawling cautiously 
upward. It was even easy, at a second look, to perceive that 
they were men stealthily advancing on their hands and feet. 

Raising the handspike, Mr. Blunt struck the chains several 
violent blows. The effect was to cause the whole of the Arabs 
— for it could be no others — suddenly to cease advancing, and 
to seat themselves astride the chains. 

“ This is fearful,” said Mr. Sharp ; “ but we must die rather 
than permit them to reach the ship.” 

“We must. Stand you here, and if they advance, strike the 
chains. There is not an instant to lose.” 

Paul Blunt spoke hurriedly, and, giving the other the hand- 
spike, he ran down to the bitts, and commenced loosening the 
chains from their fastenings. The Arabs heard the clanking of 
the iron rings, as he threw coil after coil on the deck, and they 
did not advance. Presently two parts yielded together beneath 
them, and then two more. These were the signals for a com- 
mon retreat, and Mr. Sharp now plainly counted fifteen hu- 
man forms as they scrambled back towards the reef, some hanging 
by their arms, some half in the water, and others lying along the 
chains, as best they might. Mr. Blunt having loosened the 
chains, so as to let their bights fall into the sea, the ship slowly 
drifted astern, and rode by her cables. When this was done, 
the two young men stood together in silence on the foreca|tle, 
as if each felt that all which had just occurred was some illusion. 

“ This is indeed terrible,” exclaimed Paul Blunt. “We have 
not even a pistol left ! No means of defence — nothing but this 
narrow belt of water between us and these barbarians! No 
doubt, too, they have firearms ; and, as soon as it is light, they 
will render it unsafe to remain on deck.” 

Mr. Sharp took the hand of his companion and pressed it • 


318 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


fervently. “ God bless you !” he said in a stifled voice. “ God 
bless you for even this brief delay. But for this happy thought 
of yours, Miss Effingham — the others — we should all have been 
by this time at the mercy of these remorseless wretches. This 
is not a moment for false pride or pitiful deceptions. I think 
either of us would willingly die to rescue that beautiful and in- 
nocent creature from a fate like this which threatens her in 
common with ourselves !” 

“ Cheerfully would I lay down my life to be assured that she 
was, at this instant, safe in a civilized and Christian country.” 

These generous young men squeezed each other’s hands, and 
at that moment no feeling of rivalry, or of competition even, 
entered the heart of either. Both were influenced by a pure 
and ardent desire to serve the woman they loved ; and it would 
be true to say, that scarce a thought of any but Eve was upper- 
most in their minds. Indeed so engrossing was their common 
care in her behalf, so much more terrible than that of any other 
person did her fate appear on being captured, that they forgot, 
for the moment, there were others in the ship, and others, too, 
who might be serviceable in arresting the very calamity they 
dreaded. 

“ They may not be a strong party,” said Paul Blunt, after a 
little thought ; “ in which case, failing of a surprise, they may not 
be able to muster a force suflicient to hazard an open attack 
until the return of the boats. We have, God be praised ! es- 
caped being seized in our sleep, and made unconscious victims 
of so cruel a fate. Fifteen or twenty will scarcely dare attempt 
a ship of this size, without a perfect knowledge of our feeble- 
ness, and particularly of our want of aims. There is a light 
gun on board, and it is loaded ; with this, too, we may hold 
them at bay, by not betraying our weakness. Let us awake the 
others, for this is not a moment for sleep. We are safe at least 
for an hour or two ; since, without boats, they cannot possibly 
find the means to board us in less than that time.” 

• The two young men went below, unconsciously treading 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


319 


lightly, like those who moved about in the presence of an im- 
pending danger. Paul Blunt was in advance, and, to his great 
surprise, he met Eve at the door of the ladies’ cabin, apparently 
waiting their approach. She was dressed, for apprehension, and 
the novelty of their situation, had caused her to sleep in most 
of her clothes, and a few moments had suflSced for a hasty ad- 
justment of the toilet. Miss EflSngham was pale, but a concen- 
tration of all her energies seemed to prevent the exhibition of 
any womanly terror. 

Something is wrong !” she said, trembling in spite of her- 
self, and laying her hand unwittingly on the arm of Paul Blunt : 
“ I heard the heavy fall of iron on the deck.” 

“ Compose yourself, dearest Miss EflBngham, compose your- 
self, I entreat you. I mean, that we have come to awaken the 
gentlemen.” 

“ Tell me the worst, Powis, I implore you. I am equal, — I 
think I am equal, to hearing it.” 

“ I fear your imagination has exaggerated the danger.” 

“ The coast ?” 

“ Of that there is no cause for apprehension. The sea is calm, 
and our fasts are perfectly good.” 

“ The boats ?” 

“ Will doubtless be back in good time.” 

“ Surely — surely,” said Eve, recoiling a step, as if she saw a 
monster, “ not the Arabs ?” 

“They cannot enter the ship, though a few of them are 
hovering about us. But for the vigilance of Mr. Sharp, indeed, 
we might have all been captured in our sleep. As it is, we 
have warning, and there is now little doubt of our being able 
to intimidate the few barbarians who have shown themselves, 
until Captain Truck shall return.” 

“ Then from my soul, I thank you. Sir George Templemore, 
and for this good office will you receive the thanks of a father, 
and the prayers of all whom you have so signally served.” 

“Nay, Miss Effingham, although I find this interest in me so 


320 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


grateful that I have hardly the heart to lessen your gratitude, 
truth compels me to give it a juster direction. But for the 
promptitude of Mr. Blunt — or as I now find I ought to address 
him, Mr. Powis — we should truly have all been lost.’’ 

“We will not dispute about your merits, gentlemen. You 
have both deserved our most heartfelt thanks, and if you will 
awaken my father and Mr. John Effingham, I will arouse Made- 
moiselle Viefville and my own woman. Surely, surely, this is 
no time to sleep !” 

The summons was given at the stateroom doors, and the two 
young men returned to the deck, for they felt it was not safe to 
leave it long at such a moment. All was quite tranquil above, 
however, nor could the utmost scrutiny now detect the presence 
of any person on the reef. 

“ The rocks are cut off from the shore, farther to the south- 
ward by deeper water,” said Paul Blunt — for we shall continue 
to call both gentlemen, except on particular occasions, by their 
noms de guerre — “ and when the tide is up the place cannot be 
forded. Of this the Arabs are probably aware ; and having 
failed in their first attempt, they will probably retire to the beach 
as the water is rising, for they might not like to be left on the 
riband of rock that will remain in the face of the force that 
would be likely to be found in such a vessel.” 

“ May they not be acquainted with the absence of most of 
our people, and be bent upon seizing the vessel before they can 
return ?” 

“ That indeed is the gloomy side of the conjecture, and it 
may possibly be too true ; but as the day is beginning to break, 
we shall soon learn the worst, and any thing is better than vague 
distrust.” 

For some time the two gentlemen paced the quarter-deck to- 
gether in silence. Mr. Sharp was the first to speak. 

“ The emotions natural to such an alarm,” he said, “ have 
caused Miss Effingham to betray an incognito of mine, that 
I fear you find sufficiently absurd. It was quite acciden- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


321 


tal, I do assure you ; as much so, perhaps, as it was motive- 
less.” 

“Except as you might distrust American democracy,” re- 
turned Paul, smiling, “and feel disposed to propitiate it by a 
temporary sacrifice of rank and title.” 

“ I declare you do me injustice. My man, whose name is 
Sharp, had taken the stateroom, and, finding myself addressed 
by his appellation, I had the weakness to adopt it, under the 
impression it might be convenient in a packet. Had I antici- 
pated, in the least, meeting with the Efiinghams, I should not 
have been guilty of the folly, for Mr. and Miss EflSngham are old 
acquaintances.” 

“ While you are thus apologizing for a venial offence, you 
forget it is to a man guilty of the same error. I knew your 
person, from having seen you on the Continent ; and finding 
you disposed to go by the homely name of Sharp, in a moment 
of thoughtlessness, I took its counterpart, Blunt. A travelling 
name is sometimes convenient, though sooner or later I fancy all 
deceptions bring with them their own punishments.” 

“It is certain that falsehood requires to be supported by 
falsehood. Having commenced in untruth, would it not be ex- 
pedient to persevere until we reach America ? I, at least, can- 
not now assert a right to my proper name, without deposing a 
usurper !” 

“ It will be expedient for you, certainly, if it be only to escape 
the homage of that double-distilled democrat, Mr. Dodge. As 
for myself, few care enough about me to render it a matter of 
moment how I am styled ; though, on the whole, I should 
prefer to let things stand as they are, for reasons I cannot well 
explain.” 

No more was said on the subject, though both understood 
that the old appellations were to be temporarily continued. 
Just as this brief dialogue ended, the rest of the party appeared 
on deck. All preserved a forced calmness, though the pale- 
ness of the ladies betrayed the intense anxiety they felt. Eve 
14 * 


322 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


struggled with her fears on account of her father, who had 
trembled so violently, when the truth was first told him, as to 
be quite unmanned, but who now comported himself with dig- 
nity, though oppressed with apprehension almost to anguish. 
John Effingham was stern, and in the bitterness of his first sen- 
sations he had muttered a few imprecations on his own folly, in 
suffering himself to be thus caught without arms. Once the 
terrible idea of the necessity of sacrificing Eve, in the last 
resort, as an expedient preferable to captivity, had flashed 
across his mind ; but the real tenderness he felt for her, and his 
better nature, soon banished the unnatural thought. Still, 
when he joined the party on deck, it was with a general but 
vague impression, that the moment was at hand when circum- 
stances had required that they were all to die together. No 
one was more seemingly collected than Mademoiselle Vief- 
ville. Her life had been one of sacrifices, and she had now 
made up her mind that it was to pass away in a scene of vio- 
lence ; and, with a species of heroism that is national, her feel- 
ings had been aroused to a sort of Roman firmness, and she 
was prepared to meet her fate with a composure equal to that 
of the men. 

These were the first feelings and impressions of those who 
had been awakened from the security of the night, to hear the 
tale of their danger ; but they lessened as the party collected 
in the open air, and began to examine into their situation by 
means of the steadily increasing light. As the day advanced, 
Paul Blunt, in particular, carefully examined the rocks near the 
ship, even ascending to the foretop, from which elevation he 
overlooked the whole line of the reef ; and something like hope 
revived in every bosom, when he proclaimed the joyful intelli- 
gence that nothing having life was visible in that direction. 

“ God be praised !” he said with fert^or, as his foot touched 
the deck again on descending ; “ we have at least a respite 
from the attacks of these barbarians. The tide has risen so 
high that they dare not stay on the rocks, lest they might be 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


323 


cut otf ; for they probably think us stronger than we are, and 
armed. The light gun on the forecastle is loaded, gentlemen, 
though not shotted ; for there are no shot in the vessel, Saun- 
ders tells me ; and I would suggest the propriety of firing it, 
both to alarm the Arabs, and as a signal to our friends. The 
distance from the wreck is not so great but it might be heard, 
and I think they would at least send a boat to our relief. Sound 
flies fast, and a short time may bring us succor. The water will 
not be low enough for our enemies to venture on the reef again, 
under six or eight hours, and all may yet be well.” 

This proposal was discussed, and it proving, on inquiry, that 
all the powder in the ship, after loading the gun for this very 
purpose of firing a signal, had been taken in the boats, and 
that no second discharge could be made, it was decided to lose 
no more time, but to let their danger be known to their friends 
at once, if it were possible to send the sound so far. When 
this decision was come to, Mr. Blunt, aided by Mr. Sharp, made 
the necessary preparations without delay. The latter, though 
doing all he could to assist, envied the readiness, practical skill, 
and intelligence, with which his companion, a man of cultivated 
and polished mind in higher things,, performed every requisite 
act that was necessary to effect their purpose. Instead of 
hastily discharging the piece, an iron four-pound gun, Mr. 
Blunt first doubled the wad, which he drove home with all his 
force, and then he greased the muzzle, as he said, to increase 
the report. 

“ I shall not attempt to explain the philosophy of this,” he 
added with a mournful smile, “ but all lovers of salutes and 
salvos will maintain that it is useful ; and be it so or not, too 
much depends on our making ourselves heard, to neglect any 
thing that has even a chance of aiding that one great object. 
If you will now assist me. Sir George, we will run the gun over 
to starboard, in order that it may be fired on the side next the 
wreck.” 

“Judging from the readiness you have shown on several oc- 


324 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


casions, as well as your familiarity with the terms, I should 
think you had served,” returned the real baronet, as he helped 
his companion to place the gun at a port on the northern side 
of the vessel. 

“ You have not mistaken my trade. I was certainly bred, 
almost born, a seaman ; and though as a traveller I have now 
been many years severed from my early habits, little of what I 
knew has been lost. Were there five others here, who had as 
much familiarity as myself with vessels, I think we could carry 
the ship outside the reef, crippled as she is, and set the Arabs 
at defiance. Would to God our worthy captain had never 
brought her inside !” 

“ He did all for the best, no doubt.” 

“ Beyond a question ; and no more than a commendable 
prudence required. Still he has left us in a most critical posi- 
tion. This priming is a little damp, and I distrust it. The 
coal, if you please.” 

“ Why do you not fire ?” • 

“ At the last moment, I almost repent of my own expedient. 
Is it quite certain no pistols remain among any of our effects ?” 

“ I fear not. Saunders, reports that all, even to those of the 
smallest size, were put in requisition for the boats.” 

“ The charge in this gun might serve for many pistols, or for 
several fowling-pieces. I might even sweep the reef, on an 
emergency, by using old iron for shot ! It appears like parting 
with a last friend, to part with this single precious charge of 
gunpowder.” 

“ Nay, you certainly know best ; though I rather think the 
Messrs. Effingham are of your first opinion.” 

“ It is puerile to waver on such a subject, and I will hesitate 
no longer. There are moments when the air seems to float in 
the direction of our friends ; on the first return of one of those 
currents, I will fire.” 

A minute brought the opportunity, and Paul Blunt, or Paul 
Powis, as his real name would now appear to be, applied the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


325 


coal. The report was sharp and lively; but as the smoke 
floated away, he again expressed his doubts of the wisdom of 
what had just been done. Had he then known that the strug- 
gling sounds had diffused themselves in their radii, without 
reaching the wreck, his regrets would have been increased 
fourfold. This was a fact, however, that could not be then 
ascertained, and those in the packet were compelled to wait 
two or three hours before they even got the certainty of their 
failure. 

As the light increased, a view was obtained of the shore, 
which seemed as silent and deserted as the reef. For half an 
hour the whole party experienced the revulsion of feeling that 
accompanies all great changes of emotion, and the conversation 
had even got to be again cheerful, and to turn into its former 
channels, when suddenly a cry from Saunders renewed the 
alarm. The steward was preparing the breakfast in the galley, 
from which he gave occasional glances towards the land, and 
his quick eye had been the first to detect a new and still more 
serious danger that now menaced them. 

A long train of camels was visible, travelling across the 
desert, and holding its way towards the part of the reef which 
touched the shore. At this point, too, were now to be seen 
some twenty Arabs, waiting the arrival of their friends ; among 
whom, it was fair to conclude, were those who had attempted 
to carry the ship by surprise. As the events which next fol- 
lowed were closely connected with the policy and forbearance 
of the party of barbarians near the wreck, this will be a suit- 
able occasion to explain the motives of the latter, in not assail- 
ing Captain Truck, and the real state of things among these 
children of the desert. 

The Dane had been driven ashore, as conjectured, in the 
last gale, and the crew had immediately been captured by a 
small wandering party of the Arabs, with whom the coast was 
then lined ; as is usually the case immediately after tempestu- 
ous weather. Unable to carry off much of the cargo, this 


326 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


party had secured the prisoners, and hurried inland to an 
oasis, to give the important intelligence to their friends ; leaving 
scouts on the shore, however, that they might be early apprised 
of any similar disaster, or of any change in the situation of 
their present prize. These scouts had discovered the Montauk, 
drifting along the coast, dismasted and crippled, and they had 
watched her to her anchorage within the reef. The departure 
of her boats had been witnessed, and though unable to foresee 
the whole object of this expedition, the direction taken pointed 
out the wreck as the point of destination. All this, of course, 
had been communicated to the chief men of the different par- 
ties on the coast, of which there were several, who had agreed 
to unite their forces to secure the second ship, and then to di- 
vide the spoils. 

When the Arabs reached the coast near the wreck that morn- 
ing, the elders among them were not slow in comprehending 
the motives of the expedition ; and having gained a pretty ac- 
curate idea of the number of men employed about the Dane, 
they had come to the just conclusion that few were left in the 
vessel at anchor. They had carried off the spyglass of their 
prize, too, and several among them knew its use, from having 
seen similar things in other stranded ships. By means of this 
glass, they discovered the number and quality of those on 
board the Montauk, as soon as there was suflBcient light, and 
directed their own operations accordingly. The parties that 
had appeared and disappeared behind the sandy ridges of the 
desert, about the time at which we have now arrived in the 
narrative, and those who have been already mentioned in a 
previous chapter, were those who came from the interior, and 
those who went in the direction of the reef ; the first of the 
latter of which Saunders had just discovered. Owing to the 
rounded formation of the coast, and to the intervention of a 
headland, the distance by water between the two ships was 
quite double that by land between the two encampments, and 
those who now arrived abreast of the packet, deliberately pitched 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


327 


their tents, as if they depended more on a display of their num- 
bers for success than on concealment, and as if they felt no ap- 
prehension of the return of the crew. 

When the gentlemen had taken a survey of this strong 
party, which numbered more than a hundred, they held a con- 
sultation of the course • it would be necessary to pursue. To 
Paul Blunt, as an avowed seaman, and as one who had already 
shown the promptitude and efficiency of his resources, all eyes 
were turned in expectation of an opinion. 

“ So long as the tide keeps in,” this gentleman observed, “ I 
see no cause for apprehensions. We are beyond the reach of 
musketry ; or at all events, any fire of the Arabs, at this dis- 
tance, must be uncertain and harmless, and we have always 
the hope of The arrival of the boats. Should this fail us, and 
the tide fall this afternoon as low as it fell in the morning, 
our situation will indeed become critical. The water around 
the ship may possibly serve as a temporary protection, but the 
distance to the reef is so small that it might be passed by 
swimming.” 

“ Surely we could make good the vessel against men raising 
themselves out of the water, and clambering up a vessel’s side ?” 
said Mr. Sharp. 

“ It is probable we might, if unmolested from the shore. But, 
imagine twenty or thirty resolute swimmers to put off together 
for different parts of the vessel, protected by the long muskets 
these Arabs carry, and you will easily conceive the hopelessness 
of any defence. The first man among us, who should show his 
person to meet the boarders, would be shot down like a dog.” 

“ It was a cruel oversight to expose us to this horrible fate !” 
exclaimed the appalled father. 

“This is easier seen now than when the mistake was com- 
mitted,” observed John Effingham. “ As a seaman, and with 
his important object in view. Captain Truck acted for the best, 
and we should acquit him of all blame, let the result be what 
it may. Regrets are useless, and it remains for us to devise 


328 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


some means to arrest the danger by which we are menaced, 
before it be too late. Mr. Blunt, you must be our leader and 
counsellor : is it not possible for us to carry the ship outside 
of the reef, and to anchor her beyond the danger of our being 
boarded ?” 

“ I have thought of this expedient, and if we had a boat it 
might possibly be done, in this mild weather ; without a boat, 
it is impossible.” 

“ But we have a boat,” glancing his eye towards the launch 
that stood in the chocks or chucks. 

“ One that would be too unwieldy for our purposes, could it 
be got into the water ; a thing in itself that would be almost 
impracticable for us to achieve.” 

A long silence succeeded, during which the gentlemen were 
occupied in the bootless effort of endeavoring to devise expe- 
dients to escape the Arabs ; bootless, because on such occa- 
sions, the successful measure is commonly the result of a sort 
of sudden inspiration, rather than of continued and laborious 
thought. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


329 


CHAPTER XXII. 

“ With religious awe 

Grief heard the voice of Virtue. No complaint 
The solemn silence broke. Tears ceased to flow.” 

Glover 

Hope is the most treacherous of all human fancies. So long 
as there is a plausible ground to expect relief from any partic- 
ular quarter, men will relax their exertions in the face of the 
most imminent danger, and they cling to their expectations 
long after reason has begun to place the chances of success on 
the adverse side of the scale. Thus it was with the party in 
the Montauk. Two or three precious hours were lost in the 
idle belief that the gun would be heard by Captain Truck, and 
that they might momentarily look for the appearance of, at 
least, one of the boats. 

Paul Blunt was the first to relinquish this delusion. He 
knew that, if it reached their friends at all, the report must 
have been heard in a few seconds, and he knew, also, that it 
peculiarly belonged to the profession of a seaman to come to 
quick decisions. An hour of smart rowing would bring the 
cutter from the wreck to the headland, where it would be 
visible, by means of a glass, from the foretop. Two hours had 
now passed away and no signs of any boat were to be dis- 
covered, and the young man felt reluctantly compelled to yield 
all the strong hopes of timely aid that he had anticipated from 
this quarter. John Effingham, who had much more energy of 
character than his kinsman, though not more personal fortitude 
and firmness, was watching the movements of their young 


330 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


leader, and he read the severe disappointment in his face, as he 
descended the last time from the top, where he had often been 
since the consultation, to look out for the expected succor. 

“ I see it in your countenance,” said that gentleman ; “ we 
have nothing to look for from the boats. Our signal has not 
been heard.” 

“ There is no hope, and we are now thrown altogether on 
our own exertions, aided by the kind providence of God.” 

“ This calamity is so sudden and so dire, that I can scarcely 
credit it ! Are we then truly in danger of becoming prisoners 
to barbarians ? Is Eve EflBngham, the beautiful, innocent, good, 
angelic daughter of my cousin, to be their victim ! — perhaps 
the inmate of a seraglio !” 

“ There is the pang ! Had I a thousand bodies, a thousand 
lives, I could give all of the first to unmitigated sufiering, lay 
down all the last to avert so shocking a calamity. Do you 
think the ladies are sensible of their real situation ?” 

“ They are uneasy rather than terrified. In common with 
us all, they have strong hopes from the boats, though the con- 
tinued arrival of the barbarians, who are constantly coming 
into their camp, has helped to render them a little more con- 
scious of the true nature of the danger.” 

Here Mr. Sharp, who stood on the hurricane-house, called 
out for the glass, in order to ascertain what a party of the 
Arabs, who were collected near the in-shore end of the reef, 
were about. Paul Blunt went up to him, and made the ex- 
amination. His countenance fell as he gazed, and an expres- 
sion like that of hopelessness was again apparent on his fine 
features, when he lowered the glass. 

“ Here is some new cause of uneasiness !” 

“ The wretches have got a number of spars, and are lashing 
them together to form a raft. They are bent on our capture, 
and I see no means of preventing it.” 

“Were we alone, men only, we might have the bitter con- 
solation of selling our lives dearly ; but it is terrible to have 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


331 


those with us whom we can neither save nor yet devote to a 
common destruction with our enemies !” 

“ It is indeed terrible, and the helplessness of our situation 
adds to its misery.” 

“ Can we not offer terms ? — Might not a promise of ransom, 
with hostages, do something? I would cheerfully remain in 
the hands of the barbarians, in order to effect the release of the 
rest of the party.” 

Mr. Blunt grasped his hand, and for a moment he envied the 
other the generous thought. But smiling bitterly, he shook 
his head, as if conscious of the futility of even this desperate 
self-devotion. 

“ Gladly would I be your companion ; but the project is, in 
every sense, impracticable. Ransom they might consent to 
receive with us all in their power, but not on the condition of 
our being permitted to depart. Indeed, no means of quitting 
them would be left ; for, once in possession of the ship, as in a 
few hours they must be. Captain Truck, though having the 
boats, will be obliged to surrender for want of food, or to run 
the frightful hazard of attempting to reach the islands, on an 
allowance scarcely sufficient to sustain life under the most favor- 
able circumstances. These flint-hearted monsters are surround- 
ed by the desolation of their desert, and they are aware of all 
their appalling advantages.” 

“ The real state of things ought to be communicated to our 
friends, in order that they may be prepared for the worst.” 

To this Mr. Blunt agreed, and they went together to inform 
John Effingham of the new discovery. This stern-minded man 
was, in a nianuer, prepared for the worst, and he now agreed 
on the melancholy propriety of letting his kinsman know the 
actual nature of the new danger that threatened them. 

“ I will undertake this unpleasant office,” he said, “ though I 
could, in my inmost soul, pray that the necessity for it might 
pass away. Should the worst arrive, I have still hopes of effect- 
ing something by means of a ransom ; but what will have been 


332 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the fate of the youthful, and delicate, and lovely, ere we can 
make ourselves even comprehended by the barbarians? A 
journey in the desert, as these journeys have been described to 
me, would be almost certain death to all but the strongest of 
our party, and even gold may fail of its usual power, when 
weighed against the evil nature of savages.” 

“Is there no hope, then, really left us?” demanded Mr. 
Sharp, when the last speaker had left them to descend to the 
cabins. “ Is it not possible to get the boat into the water, and 
to make our escape in that ?” 

“ That is an expedient of which I have thought, but it is next 
to impracticable. As any thing is better than capture, how- 
ever, I will make one more close examination of the proceedings 
of the demons, and look nearer into our own means.” 

Paul Blunt now got a lead and dropped it over the side of 
the ship, in the almost forlorn hope that possibly she might lie 
over some hole on the bottom. The soundings proved to be, 
as indeed he expected, but a little more than three fathoms. 

“ I had no reason to expect otherwise,” he said, as he drew 
in the line, though he spoke like a disappointed man. “ Had 
there been sufficient water the ship might have been scuttled, 
and the launch would have floated off* the deck ; but as it is, 
we should lose the vessel without a sufficient object. It would 
appear heroic were you and I to contrive to get on the reef, 
and to proceed to the shore with a view to make terms with 
the Arabs ; but there could be no real use in it, as the treachery 
of their character is too well established to look for any benefit 
from such a step.” 

“ Might they not be kept in play, until our friends returned ? 
Providence may befriend us in some unexpected manner in 
our uttermost peril.” 

“We will examine them once more with the glass. By a 
movement among the Arabs, there has probably been a new 
accession to their numbers.” 

The two gentlemen now ascended to the top of the hurri- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


333 


cane-house again, in feverish haste, and once more they applied 
the instrument. A minute of close study induced Mr. Blunt to 
drop the glass, with an expression that denoted increased con- 
cern. 

“ Can any thing possibly make our prospects worse ?” eager- 
ly inquired his companion. 

“ Do you not remember a flag that was on board the Dane 
— that by which we identified his nation ?” 

“ Certainly : it was attached to the halyards, and lay on the 
quarter-deck.” 

“ That flag is now flying in the camp of these barbarians ! 
You may see it, here, among the tents last pitched by the party 
that arrived while we were conversing forward.” 

“ And ffbm this you infer — ” 

“ That our people are captives ! That flag was in the ship 
when we left it ; had the Arabs returned before our party got 
there, the captain would have been back long ere this ; and in 
oi'der to obtain this ensign they must have obtained possession 
of the wreck, after the arrival of the boats ; an event that could 
scarcely occur without a struggle : I fear the flag is a proof on 
which side the victory has fallen.” 

“ This then would seem to consummate our misfortunes !” 

“ It does indeed ; for the faint hope that existed, of being re- 
lieved by the boats, must now be entirely abandoned.” 

“ In the name of God, look again, and see in what condition 
the wretches have got their raft !” 

A long examination followed, for on this point did the fate 
of all in the ship now truly seem to depend. 

“ They work with spirit,” said Mr. Blunt, when his examina- 
tion had continued a long time ; “ but it seems less like a raft 
than before — they are lashing spars together lengthwise — here 
is a dawning of hope, or what would be hope, rather, if the 
boats had escaped their fangs !” 

“ God bless you for the words ! — what is there encouraging ?” 

“It is not much,” returned Paul Blunt, with a mournful 


334 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


smile ; “ but trifles become of account in moments of extreme 
jeopardy. They are making a floating stage, doubtless with 
the intention to pass from the reef to the ship, and by veering 
on the chains we may possibly drop astern sufliciently to dis- 
appoint them in the length of their bridge. If I saw a hope 
of the final return of the boats, this expedient would not be 
without its use, particularly if delayed to the last moment, as 
it might cause the Arabs to lose another tide ; and a reprieve 
of eight or ten hours is an age to men in our situation.” 

Mr. Sharp caught eagerly at this suggestion, and the young 
men walked the deck together for half an hour, discussing its 
chances, and suggesting various means of turning it to the best 
account. Still, both felt convinced that the trifling delay which 
might thus be obtained, would, in the end, be perfectly useless, 
should Captain Truck and his party have really fallen into the 
hands of the common enemy. They were thus engaged, some- 
times in deep despondency, and sometimes buoyant with revived 
expectations, when Saunders, on the part of Mr. EflBngham, 
summoned them below. 

On reaching the cabin, whither both immediately hastened, 
the two gentlemen found the family party in the distress that 
the circumstances would naturally create. Mr. Eflingham was 
seated, his daughter’s head resting on a knee, for she had 
thrown herself on the carpet, by his side. Mademoiselle Vief- 
ville paced the cabin, occasionally stopping to utter a few words 
of consolation to her youug charge, and then again reverting 
in her mind to the true dangers of their situation, with a force 
that completely undid all she had said, by betraying the extent 
of her own apprehensions. Ann Sidley knelt near her young 
mistress, sometimes praying fervently, though in silence, and at 
other moments folding her beloved in her arms, as if to protect 
her from the ruffian grasp of the barbarians. The femme de 
chamhre was sobbing in a stateroom, while John Efiingham 
leaned with his arms folded against a bulkhead, a picture of 
stern submission rather than of despair. The whole party was 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


335 


now assembled, with the exception of the steward, whose la- 
mentations throughout the morning had not been noiseless, but 
who was left on deck to watch the movements of the Arabs. 

The moment was not one of idle forms, and Eve Effingham, 
who would have recoiled, under other circumstances, at being 
seen by her fellow-travellers in her present situation, scarce 
raised her head, in acknowledgment of their melancholy salute, 
as they entered. She had been weeping, and her hair had 
fallen in profusion around her shoulders. The tears fell no 
longer, but a warm flushed look, one which denoted that a 
struggle of the mind had gotten the better of womanly emo- 
tions, had succeeded to deadly paleness, and rendered her love- 
liness of feature and expression bright and angelic. Both of 
the young men thought she had never seemed so beautiful, and 
both felt a secret pang, as the conviction forced itself on them, 
at the same instant, that this surpassing beauty was now likely 
to prove her most dangerous enemy. 

“ Gentlemen,” said Mr. Effingham, with apparent calmness, 
and a dignity that no uneasiness could disturb, “ my kinsman 
has acquainted us with the hopeless nature of our condition, 
and I have begged the favor of this visit on your own account. 
We cannot separate ; the ties of blood and affection unite us, 
and our fate must be common ; but, on you there is no such 
obligation. Young, bold, and active, some plan may suggest 
itself, by which you may possibly escape the barbarians, and at 
least save yourselves. I know that generous temperaments like 
yours will not be disposed to listen, at first, to such a suggestion ; 
but reflection will tell you that it is for the interest of us all. 
You may let our fate be known, earlier than it otherwise would 
be, to those who will take immediate measures to procure our 
ransoms.” 

“ This is impossible !” Mr. Sharp said firmly. “ We can never 
quit you ; could- never enjoy a moment’s peace under the con- 
sciousness of having been guilty of an act so selfish !” 

“ Mr. Blunt is silent,” continued Mr. Effingham, after a short 


336 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


pause, in which he looked from one of the young men to the 
other. “ He thinks better of my proposition, and will listen to 
his own best interests.” 

Eve raised her head quickly, but without being conscious 
of the anxiety she. betrayed, and gazed with melancholy intent- 
ness at the subject of this remark. 

“ I do credit to the generous feelings ^of Mr. Sharp,” Paul 
Blunt now hurriedly answered, “ and should be sorry to admit 
that my own first impulses were less disinterested ; but I confess 
I have already thought of this, and have reflected on all the 
chances of success or failure. It might be practicable for one 
who can swim easily to reach the reef ; thence to cross the 
inlet, and possibly to gain the shore under cover of the opposite 
range of rocks, which are higher than those near us ; after 
which, by following the coast, one might communicate with the 
boats by signal, or even go quite to the wreck, if necessary. 
All of this I have deliberated on, and once I had determined to 
propose it ; but — ” 

“ But what ?” demanded Eve quickly. “ Why not execute 
this plan, and save yourself ? Is it a reason, because our case 
is hopeless, that you should perish? Go, then, at once, for 
the moments are precious; an hour hence, it may be too 
late” 

“ Were it merely to save myself. Miss Effingham, do you 
really think me capable of this baseness ?” 

“ I do not call it baseness. Why should we draw you down 
with us in our misery ? You have already served us, Powis, 
in a situation of terrible trial, and it is not just that you should 
always devote yourself in behalf of those who seem fated never 
to do you good. My father will tell you he thinks it your duty 
now to save yourself, if possible.” 

“ I think it the duty of every man,” mildly resumed Mr. 
Effingham, “ when no imperious obligation requires otherwise, 
to save the life and liberty which God has bestowed. These 
gentlemen have doubtless ties and claims on them that are in- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


337 

dependent of us, and why should they inflict a pang on those 
who love them, in order to share in our disaster ?” 

“ This is placing useless speculations before a miserable cer- 
tainty,” observed John Efiingham. “As there can be no hope 
of reaching the boats, it is vain to discuss the propriety of the 
step.” 

“ Is this true, Powis ? Is there truly no chance of your es- 
caping ? You will not deceive us — deceive yourself — on a vain 
point of empty pride !” 

“ I can say with truth, almost with joy, for I thank God I 
am spared the conflict of judging between my duty and my 
feelings, that there can no longer be any chance of finding the 
wreck in the possession of our friends,” returned Paul fervently. 
“ There wete moments when I thought the attempt should be 
made ; and it would perhaps have properly fallen to my lot to 
be the adventurer ; but we have now proof that the Arabs are 
masters ; and if Captain Truck has escaped at all, it is under 
circumstances that scarcely admit the possibility of his being 
near the land. The whole coast must be watched and in pos- 
session of the barbarians, and one passing along it could hardly 
escape being seen.” 

“ Might you not escape into the interior, notwithstanding ?” 
asked Eve, impetuously. 

“ With what motive ? To separate myself from those who 
have been my fellows in misfortune, only to die of want, or to 
fall into the hands of another set of masters ? It is every way 
our interest to keep together, and to let those already on the 
coast become our captors, as the booty of two ships may dispose 
them to be less exacting with their prisoners.” 

“ Slaves !” muttered John Effingham. 

His cousin bowed his head over the delicate form of Eve, 
which he folded with his arms, as if to shield it from the blasts 
and evils of the desert. 

“As we may be separated immediately on being taken,” re- 
sumed Paul Blunt, “it will be well to adopt some common 

15 


338 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


mode of acting, and a uniform account of ourselves, in order 
that we may impress the barbarians with the policy of carrying 
us, as soon as possible, into the vicinity of Mogadore, with a 
view to obtaining a speedy ransom.” 

“ Can any thing be better than the holy truth ?” exclaimed 
Eve. “No, no, no ! Let us not deform this chastening act of 
God, by coloring any thought or word with deception.” 

“ Deception in our case will hardly be needed ; but by un- 
derstanding those facts which will most probably influence the 
Arabs, we may dwell the most on them. We cannot do bet- 
ter than by impressing on the minds of our captors the circum- 
stance that this is no common ship, a fact their own eyes will 
corroborate, and that we are not mere mariners, but passen- 
gers, who will be likely to reward their forbearance and mod- 
eration.” 

“ I think, sir,” interrupted Ann Sidley, looking up with tear- 
ful eyes from the spot where she still knelt, “ that if these peo- 
ple knew how much Miss Eve is sought and beloved, they might 
be led to respect her as she deserves, and this at least would 
‘temper the wind to the shorn lamb !’ ” 

“Poor Nanny!” murmured Eve, stretching forth a hand 
towards her old nurse, though her face was still buried in her 
own hair, “ thou wilt soon learn that there is another leveller 
besides the grave 1” 

“Ma’am!” 

“ Thou wilt find that Eve, in the hands of barbarians, is not 
thy Eve. It will now become my turn to become a hand- 
maiden, and to perform for others offices a thousand times more 
humiliating than any thou hast ever performed for me.” 

Such a consummation of their misery had never struck the 
imagination of the simple-minded Ann, and she gazed at her 
child with tender concern, as if she distrusted her senses. 

“ This is too improbable, dear Miss Eve,” she said, “ and you 
will distress your father by talking so wildly. The Arabs are 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


339 


human beings though they are barbarians, and they will never 
dream of any thing so wicked as this.” 

Mademoiselle Viefville made a rapid and fervent ejaculation 
in her own language, that was keenly expressive of her own 
sense of misery, and Ann Sidley, who always felt uneasiness 
when any thing was said affecting Eve that she could not un- 
derstand, looked from one to the other, as if she demanded an 
explanation. 

“ I’m sure mamerzelle cannot think any such thing likely to 
take place,” she continued, more positively ; “ and, sir, you at 
least will not permit Miss Eve to torment herself with any no- 
tions as unreasonable, as monstrous as this !” 

“ We are in the hands of God, my worthy Ann, and you 
may live to* see all your fixed ideas of propriety violated,” 
returned Mr. Effingham. “ Let us pray that we may not be 
separated, for there .will at least be a tender consolation in 
being permitted to share our misery in company. Should we 
be torn asunder, then indeed will the infliction be one of insup- 
portable agony.” 

“ And who will think of such a cruelty, sir ? Me they can- 
not separate from Miss Eve, for I am her servant, her own long- 
tried, faithful attendant, who first held her in arms, and nursed 
her when a helpless infant; and you too, sir, you are her 
father, her own beloved, revered parent ; and Mr. John, is he 
not her kinsman, of her blood and name ? And even mamer- 
zelle also has claims to remain with Miss Eve, for she has taught 
her many things, I dare say, that it is good to know. Oh ! no, 
no, no ! no one has a right to tear us asunder, and no one will 
have the heart to do it.’’ 

“Nanny, Nanny,” murmured Eve, “you do not, cannot 
know the cruel Arabs !” 

“They cannot be crueller and more unforgiving than our 
own savages, ma’am, and they keep the mother with the child ; 
and when they spare life, they take the prisoners into their 


340 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


huts, and treat them as they treat their own. God has caused 
so many of the wicked to perish for their sins, in these eastern 
lands, that I do not think a man can be left that is wretch 
enough to harm one like Miss Eve. Take courage then, sir, 
and put your trust in his holy providence. I know the trial 
is hard to a tender father’s heart, but should their customs re- 
quire them to keep the men and women asunder, and to sepa- 
rate you from your daughter, for a short time, remember that 
I shall be with her, as I was in her childhood, when, by the 
mercy of God, we carried her through so many mortal diseases 
in safety, and have got her, in the pride of her youth, without 
a blemish or a defect, the perfect creature she is.” 

“ If the world had no other tenants but such as you, devoted 
and simple-hearted woman, there would indeed be little cause 
for apprehension ; for you are equally unable to imagine wrong 
yourself, or to conceive it in others. It would remove a moun- 
tain from my heart, could I indeed believe that even you will 
be permitted to remain near this dependent and fragile girl 
during the months of suffering and anguish that are likely to 
occur.” 

“ Father,” said Eve, hurriedly drying her eyes, and rising to 
her feet with a motion so easy, and an effort so slight, that it 
appeared like the power of mere volition — the superiority of 
the spirit over her light frame — “ father, do not let a thought 
of me distress you at this awful moment. You have known 
me only in happiness and prosperity — an indulged and indolent 
girl ; but I feel a force which is capable of sustaining me, even 
in this blank desert. The Arabs can have no other motive 
than to preserve us all, as captives likely to repay their care 
with a rich ransom. I know that a journey, according to their 
habits, will be painful and arduous, but it may be borne. 
Trust, then, more to my spirit than to my feeble body, and you 
will find that I am not as worthless as I fear you fancy.” 

Mr. Effingham passed his arm around the slender waist of his 
child, and folded her almost frantically to his bosom. But Eve 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


341 


was aroused, and, gently extricating herself, with bright but 
tearless eyes, she looked round at her companions, as if she 
would reverse the order of their sympathies, and draw them to 
their own wants and hazards. 

“ I know you think me the most exposed by this dreadful 
disaster,” she said ; “ that I may not be able to bear up against 
the probable suffering, and that I shall sink first, because I am 
the feeblest and frailest in frame ; but God permits the reed to 
bend, when the oak is destroyed. I am stronger, able to bear 
more than you imagine, and we shall all live to meet again, in 
happier scenes, should it be our present hard fortune to be 
separated.” 

As Eve spoke, she cast affectionate looks on those dear to 
her by habit, ^nd blood, and services ; nor did she permit an 
unnecessary reserve at such a moment to prevent glances of 
friendly interest towards the two young men, whose very souls 
seemed wrapped in her movements. Words of encouragement 
from such a source, however, only served to set the frightful 
truth more vividly before the minds of her auditors, and not 
one of them heard what she said who did not feel an awful pre- 
sentiment that a few weeks of the suffering of which she made 
so light, did she even escape a crueller fate, would consign that 
form, now so winning and lovely, to the sands. Mr. Effingham 
now rose, and for the first time the flood of sensations that had 
been so long gathering in his bosom, seemed ready to burst 
through the restraints of manhood. Struggling to command 
himself, he turned to his two young male companions, and 
spoke with an impressiveness and dignity that carried with 
them a double force, from the fact of his ordinary manners 
being so tempered and calm. 

“ Gentlemen,” he said, “ we may serve each other, by coming 
to an understanding in time ; or at least you may confer on 
me a favor that a life of gratitude would not repay. You are 
young and vigorous, bold and intelligent, qualities that will 
command the respect of even savages. The chances that one 


342 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


of you will survive to reach a Christian land are much greater 
than those of a man of my years, borne down as I shall be with 
the never-dying anxieties of a parent.” 

“ Father ! father !” 

“ Hush ! darling : let me entreat these gentlemen to bear 
us in mind, should they reach a place of safety ; for, after all, 
youth may do that in your behalf, which time will deny to 
John and myself. Money will be of no account, you know, to 
rescue my child from a fate far worse than death, and it may 
be some consolation to you, young men, to recollect, at the 
close of your own careers, which I trust will yet be long and 
happy, that a parent, in his last moments, found a consolation 
in the justifiable hopes he had placed on your generous exertions.” 

“ Father, I cannot bear this ! For you to be the victim of 
these barbarians is too much ; and I would prefer trusting all 
to a raft on the terrible ocean, to incurring the smallest chance 
of such a calamity. Mademoiselle, you will join me in the 
entreaty to the gentlemen to prepare a few planks to receive 
us, where we can perish together, and at least have the consola- 
tion of knowing that our eyes will be closed by friends. The 
longest survivor will be surrounded and supported by the spirits 
of those who have gone before, into a world devoid of care.” 

“ I have thought this from the first,” returned Mademoiselle 
Viefville in French, with an energy of manner that betokened a 
high and resolved character : “ I would not expose gentle- 
women to the insults and outrages of barbarians ; but did not 
wish to make a proposition that the feelings of others might 
reject.” 

“ It is a thousand times preferable to capture, if indeed it be 
practicable,” said John Effingham, looking inquiringly towards 
Paul. The latter, however, shook his head in the negative, for, 
the wind blowing on shore, he knew it would be merely meet- 
ing captivity without the appearance of a self-reliance and 
dignity, that might serve to impress their captors favorably. 

“ It is impossible,” said Eve, reading the meaning of the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


343 


glances, and dropping on her knees before Mr. Effingham ; 
“ well, then, may our trust be in God ! We have yet a few 
minutes of liberty, and let them not be wasted idly, in vain re- 
grets. Father, kiss me, and give me once more that holy and 
cherished blessing, with which you used to consign me to sleep, 
in those days when we scarce dreamed of, never realized, mis- 
fortune.” 

“ Bless you, bless you, my babe ; my beloved, my cherished 
Eve !” said the father solemnly, but with a quivering lip. “ May 
that dread Being whose ways, though mysterious, are perfect 
wisdom and mercy, sustain you in this trial, and bring you at 
last, spotless in spirit and person, to his own mansions of peace. 
God took from me early thy sainted mother, and I had impious- 
ly trusted in the hope that thou wert left to be my solace in 
age. Bless you, my Eve ; I shall pray God, without ceasing, 
that thou mayest pass away as pure and as worthy of His love, 
as her to whom thou owest thy being.” 

John Effingham groaned ; the effort he made to repress his 
feelings causing the out-breaking of his soul to be deep, though 
smothered. 

“ Father, let us pray together. Ann, my good Ann, thou 
who first taught me to lisp a thanksgiving and a request, kneel 
here by my side — and you, too, mademoiselle ; though of a 
different creed, we have a common God ! Cousin John, you 
pray often, I know, though so little apt to show your emotions ; 
there is a place for you, too, with those of your blood. I know 
not whether these gentlemen are too proud to pray.” 

Both the young men knelt with the others, and there was a 
long pause in which the whole party put up their supplications, 
each according to his or her habits of thought. 

“ Father !” resumed Eve, looking up as she still knelt between 
the knees of Mr. Effingham, and smiling fondly in the face of 
him she so piously loved ; “ there is one precious hope of which 
even the barbarians cannot rob us : we may be separated here, 
but our final meeting rests only \yith God !” 


344 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Mademoiselle Viefville passed an arm round the waist of her 
sweet pupil, and pressed her against her heart. 

“ There is but one abode for the blessed, my dear mademoi- 
selle, and one expiation for us all.” Then rising from her 
knees. Eve said with the grace and dignity of a gentlewoman, 
“Cousin Jack, kiss me; we know not when another occasion 
may offer to manifest to each other our mutual regard. You 
have been a dear and an indulgent kinsman to me, and should 
I live these twenty years a slave, I shall not cease to think of 
you with kindness and regret.” 

John Effingham folded the beautiful and ardent girl in his 
arms, with the freedom and fondness of a parent. 

“ Gentlemen,” continued Eve, with a deepening color, but 
eyes that were kind and grateful, “ I thank you, too, for lending 
your supplications to ours. I know that young men in the 
pride of their security, seldom fancy such a dependence on God 
necessary; but the strongest are overturned, and pride is a 
poor substitute for the hope of the meek. I believe you have 
thought better of me than I merit, and I should never cease to 
reproach myself with a want of consideration, did I believe that 
any thing more than accident has brought you into this ill-fated 
vessel. Will you permit me to add one more obligation to the 
many I feel to you both ?” advancing nearer to them, and speak- 
ing lower ; “ you are young, and likely to endure bodily ex- 
posure better than my father — that we shall be separated I feel 
persuaded — and it might be in your power to solace a heart- 
broken parent. — I see, I know, I may depend on your good 
offices.” 

“ Eve — my blessed daughter — my only, my beloved child 1” 
exclaimed Mr. Effingham, who overheard her lowest syllable, 
so death-like was the stillness of the cabin — “come to me, 
dearest ; no power on earth shall ever tear us asunder !” 

Eve turned quickly, and beheld the arms of her parent ex- 
tended. She threw herself into them, when the pent and 
irresistible emotions broke loose in both, for they wept together, 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


345 


as she lay on his bosom, with a violence that in a man it was 
awfully painful to witness. 

Mr. Sharp had advanced to take the offered hand of Eve, 
when she suddenly left him for the purpose just mentioned, and 
he now felt the grasp of Paul’s fingers on his arm, as if they 
were about to penetrate the bone. Fearful of betraying the 
extent of their feelings, the two young men rushed on deck to- 
gether, where they paced backward and forward for many 
minutes, quite unable to exchange a word, or even a syllable. 

15 ^ 




346 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

“ O Domine Deus I speravi in te, 

O care ml Jesu, nunc libera me 
In dura, catena, 

In misera poena, 

Desidero te — 

Languendo, gemendo 
Et genuflectendo, 

Adora, implore, ut liberea me.” 

Queen Mary. 

The sublime consolations of religion were little felt by either 
of the two generous-minded and ardent young men who were 
pacing the deck of the Montauk. The gentle and the plastic 
admit the most readily of the divine influence ; and of all on 
board the devoted vessel at that moment, they who were the 
most resigned to their fate were those who by their physical 
force were the least able to endure it. 

“ This heavenly resignation,” said Mr. Sharp, half whisper- 
ing, “is even more heart-rending than the out-breakings of 
despair.” 

“ It is frightful !” returned his companion. “ Any thing is 
better than passive submission in such circumstances. I see 
but little, indeed no hope of escape ; but idleness is torture. If 
I endeavor to raise this boat, will you aid me ?” 

“ Command me like your slave. Would to Heaven there were 
the faintest prospects of success !” 

“ There is but little ; and should we even succeed, there are 
no means of getting far from the ship in the launch, as all the 
oars have been carried off by the captain, and I can hear of 
neither masts nor sails. Had we the latter, with this wind 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


347 


which is beginning to blow, we might indeed prolong the un- 
certainty, by getting on some of those more distant spits of 
sand.” 

“ Then, in the name of the blessed Maria !” exclaimed one 
behind them in French, “ delay not an instant, and all on board 
will join in the labor !” 

The gentlemen turned in surprise, and beheld Mademoiselle 
Y iefville standing so near them as to have overheard their con- 
versation. Accustomed to depend on herself, coming of a peo- 
ple among whom woman is more energetic and useful, perhaps, 
than in any other Christian nation, and resolute of spirit nat- 
urally, this cultivated and generous female had come on deck 
purposely to see if indeed there remained no means by which 
they might yet escape the Arabs. Had her knowledge of a 
vessel at all equalled her resolution, it is probable that many 
fruitless expedients would already have been adopted ; but find- 
ing herself in a situation so completely novel as that of a ship, 
until now she had found no occasion to suggest any thing to 
which her companions would be likely to lend themselves. 
But, seizing the hint of Paul, she pressed it on him with ardor, 
and, after a few minutes of urging, by her zeal and persuasion 
she prevailed on the two gentlemen to commence the neces- 
sary preparations without further delay. John Effingham and 
Saunders were immediately summoned by Mademoiselle Yief- 
ville herself, who, once engaged in the undertaking, pursued it 
fervently, while she went in person into the cabins to make the 
necessary preparations connected with their subsistence and 
comforts, should they actually succeed in quitting the vessel. 

No experienced mariner could set about the work with more 
discretion, or with a better knowledge of what was necessary 
to be done, than Mr. Blunt now showed. Saunders was directed 
to clear the launch, which had a roof on it, and still contained 
a respectable provision of poultry, sheep, and pigs. The roof 
he was told not to disturb, since it might answer as a substi- 
tute for a deck ; but every thing was passed rapidly from the 


348 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


inside of the boat, which the steward commenced scrubbing 
and cleaning with an assiduity that he seldom manifested in 
his cabins. Fortunately, the tackles with which Mr. Leach had 
raised the sheers and stepped the jury-mast the previous morn- 
ing were still lying on the deck, and Paul was spared the labor 
of reeving new ones. He went to work, therefore, to get up 
two on the substitute for a main-stay ; a job that he had com- 
pleted, through the aid of the two gentlemen on deck, by the 
time Saunders pronounced the boat to be in a fit condition to 
receive its cargo. The gripes were now loosened, and the fall 
of one of the tackles was led to the capstan. 

By this time Mademoiselle Yiefville, by her energy and de- 
cision, had so far aroused Eve and her woman, that Mr. Effing- 
ham had left his daughter, and appeared on deck among those 
who were assisting Paul. So intense was the interest, however, 
which all took in the result, that the ladies, and even Ann Sidley, 
with the femme de chamhre, suspended their own efforts, and 
stood clustering around the capstan as the gentlemen began to 
heave, almost breathless between their doubts and hopes ; for 
it was a matter of serious question whether there was sufficient 
force to lift so heavy a body at all. Turn after turn was made, 
the fall gradually tightening, until those at the bars felt the full 
strain of their utmost force. 

“ Heave together, gentlemen,” said Paul Blunt, who directed 
every thing, besides doing so much with his own hands. “We 
have its weight now, and all we gain is so much towards lifting 
the boat.” 

A steady effort was continued for two or three minutes, with 
but little sensible advantage, when all stopped for breath. 

“ I fear it will surpass our strength,” observed Mr. Sharp. 
“The boat seems not to have moved, and the ropes are stretched 
in a way to menace parting.” 

“We want but the force of a boy added to our own,” said 
Paul, looking doubtingly towards the females; “in such cases, 
a pound counts for a ton.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


349 


“ Allans P' cried Mademoiselle Viefville, motioning to the 
femme de chambre to follow ; “ we will not be defeated for the 
want of such a trifle.” 

These two resolute women applied their strength to the bars, 
and the power, which had been so equally balanced, prepondera- 
ted in favor of the machine. The capstan, which a moment before 
was scarcely seen to turn, and that only by short and violent 
efforts, now moved steadily but slowly round, and the end of 
the launch rose. Eve was only prevented from joining the la- 
borers by Nanny, who held her folded in her arms, fearful that 
some accident might occur to injure her. 

Paul Blunt now cheerfully announced the certainty that they 
had a force sufficient to raise the boat, though the operation 
would still be long and laborious. We say, cheerfully ; for while 
this almost unhoped-for success promised little relief in the end, 
there is always something buoyant and encouraging in success 
of any sort. 

“We are masters of the boat,” he said, “ provided the Arabs 
do not molest us ; and we may drift away, by means of some 
contrivance of a sail, to such a distance as will keep us out of 
their power, until all chance of seeing our friends again is 
finally lost.” 

“ This, then, is a blessed relief !” exclaimed Mr. Effingham ; 
“ and God may yet avert from us the bitterest portion of this 
calamity !” 

The pent emotions again flowed, and Eve once more wept in 
her father’s arms, a species of holy joy mingling with her tears. 
In the mean time, Paul, having secured the fall by which they 
had just been heaving, brought the other to the capstan, when 
the operation was renewed with the same success. In this man- 
ner in the course of half an hour the launch hung suspended 
from the stay, at a sufficient height to apply the yard-tackles^ 
As the latter, however, were not aloft, Paul having deemed it 
wise to ascertain their ability to lift the boat at all, before he 
threw away so much toil, the females renewed their prepara- 


350 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


tions in the cabins, while the gentlemen assisted the young 
sailor in getting up the purchases. During this pause in the 
heaving, Saunders was sent below to search for sails and masts, 
both of which Paul thought must be somewhere in the ship, as 
he found the launch was fitted to receive them. 

It was apparent, in the mean time, that the Arabs watched 
their proceedings narrowly ; for the moment Paul appeared on 
the yard a great movement took place among them, and several 
muskets were discharged in the direction of the ship, though 
the distance rendered the fire harmless. The gentlemen ob- 
served with concern, however, that the balls passed the vessel, 
a fearful proof of the extraordinary power of the arms used by 
these barbarians. Luckily the reef, which by this time was 
nearly bare ahead of the ship, was still covered in a few places 
nearer to the shore to a depth that forbade a passage, except by 
swimming. John Effingham, however, who was examining the 
proceedings of the Arabs with a glass, announced that a party 
appeared disposed to get on the naked rocks nearest the ship, 
as they had left the shore, dragging some light spars after them, 
with which they seemed to be about to bridge the different spots 
of deep water, most of which were sufficiently narrow to admit 
of being passed in this manner. 

Although the operation commenced by the Arabs would 
necessarily consume a good deal of time, this intelligence quick- 
ened the movements of all in the ship. Saunders, in particular, 
who had returned to report his want of success, worked with re- 
doubled zeal; for, as is usual with those who are the least fortified 
by reason, he felt the greatest horror of falling into the hands 
of barbarians. It was a slow and laborious thing, notwithstand- 
ing, to get upon the yards the heavy blocks and falls ; and had 
not Paul Blunt been quite as conspicuous for personal strength 
as he was ready and expert in a knowledge of his profession, he 
would not have succeeded in the unaided efibrt ; unaided aloft, 
though the others, of course, relieved him much by working at 
the whips on deck. At length this important arrangement was 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


351 


effected, the young man descended, and the capstan was again 
manned. 

This time the females were not required, it being in the power 
of the gentlemen to heave the launch out to the side of the 
ship, Paul managing the different falls bo adroitly, that the 
heavy boat was brought so near, and yet so much above the 
rail, as to promise to clear it. John Effingham now stood at 
one of the stay-tackle falls, and Paul at the other, when the 
latter made a signal to ease away. The launch settled slowly 
towards the side of the vessel until it reached the rail, against 
which it lodged. Catching a turn with his fall, Mr. Blunt 
sprang forward, and bending beneath the boat, he saw that its 
keel had hit a belaying-pin. One blow from a capstan-bar 
cleared away this obstruction, and the boat swung off. The stay- 
tackle falls were let go entirely, and all on board saw, with an 
exultation that words can scarcely describe, the important craft 
suspended directly over the sea. No music ever sounded more 
sweetly to the listeners than the first plash of the massive boat 
as it fell heavily upon the surface of the water. Its size, its 
roof, and its great strength gave it an appearance of security, 
that for the moment deceived them all ; for, in contemplating 
the advantage they had so unexpectedly gained, they forgot the 
many obstacles that existed to their availing themselves of it. 

It was not many minutes before Paul was on the roof of the 
launch, had loosened the tackles, and had breasted the boat to, 
at the side of the ship, in readiness to receive the stores that 
the females had collected. In order that the reader may better 
understand the nature of the ark that was about to receive 
those who remained in the Montauk, however, it may be well 
to describe it. 

The boat itself was large, strong, and capable of resisting a 
heavy sea when well managed, and, of course, unwieldy in 
proportion. To pull it, at a moderate rate, eight or ten large 
oars were necessary ; whereas, all the search of the gentlemen 
could not find one. They succeeded, however, in discovering a 


352 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


rudder and tiller, appliances not always used in launches, and 
Paul Blunt shipped them instantly. Around the gunwales of 
the boat, stanchions, which sustained a slightly-rounded roof, 
were fitted, a provision that it is usual to make in the packets, 
in order to protect the stock they carry against the weather. 
This stock having been turned loose on the deck, and the in- 
terior cleaned, the latter now presented a snug and respectable 
cabin ; one coarse and. cramped, compared with those of the 
ship, certainly, but, on the other hand, one that might be well 
deemed a palace by shipwrecked mariners. As it would be pos- 
sible to retain this roof until compelled by bad weather to throw 
it away, Paul, who had never before seen a boat afloat with 
such a canopy, regarded it with delight ; for it promised a pro- 
tection to that delicate form he so much cherished in his in- 
most heart, that he had not even dared to hope for. Between 
the roof and the gunwale of the boat, shutters buttoned in, so 
as to fill the entire space ; and when these were in their places, 
the whole of the interior formed an inclosed apartment, of a 
height sufiScient to allow even a man to stand erect without his 
hat. It is true, this arrangement rendered the boat clumsy, and, 
to a certain extent, top-heavy and unmanageable ; but so long 
as it could be retained, it also rendered it infinitely more com- 
fortable than it could possibly be without it. The roof, more- 
over, might be cut away in five minutes, at any time, should 
circumstances require it. 

Paul had just completed a hasty survey of his treasure, for 
such he now began to consider the launch, when casting his 
eye upward, with the intention to mount the ship’s side, he saw 
Eve looking down at him, as if to read their fate in the expres- 
sion of his own countenance. 

“ The Arabs,” she hurriedly remarked, “ are moving along 
the reef, as my father says, faster than he could wish, and all 
our hopes are centred in you and the boat. The first, I know, 
will not fail us, so long as means allow ; but can we do any 
thing with the launch ?” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


353 


“ For the first time, dearest Miss Effingham, I see a little chance 
of rescuing ourselves from the grasp of these barbarians. There 
is no time to lose, but every thing must be passed into the boat 
with as little delay as possible.” 

“ Bless you, bless you, Powis, for this gleam of hope ! Your 
words are cordials, and our lives can scarcely serve to prove the 
gratitude we owe you.” 

This was said naturally, and as one expresses a strong feel- 
ing, without refiection or much weighing of words ; but even at 
that fearful moment, it thrilled on every pulse of the young man. 
The ardent look that he gave the beautiful girl caused her to 
redden to the temples, and she hastily withdrew. 

The gentlemen now began to pass into the boat the different 
things that had been provided, principally by the foresight of 
Mademoiselle Viefville, where they were received by Paul, who 
thrust them beneath the roof without stopping to lose the pre- 
cious moments in stowage. They included mattresses, the 
trunks that contained their ordinary sea-attire, or those that 
were not stowed in the baggage-room, blankets, counterpanes, 
potted meats, bread, wine, various condiments and prepared 
food, from the stores of Saunders, and generally such things as 
had presented themselves in the hurry of the moment. Nearly 
half of the articles were rejected by Paul as unnecessary, though 
he received many in consideration of the delicacy of his feebler 
companions, which would otherwise have been cast aside. 
When he found, however, that food enough had been passed 
into the boat to supply the wants of the whole party for several 
weeks, he solicited a truce, declaring it indiscreet to render 
themselves uselessly uncomfortable in this manner, to say 
nothing of the effect on the boat. The great requisite, water, 
was still wanting, and he now desired that the two domestics 
might get into the boat to arrange the different articles, while 
he endeavored to find something that might serve as a substitute 
for sails, and obtain the all-important supply. 

His attention was first given to the water, without which all 


354 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the other preparations would be rendered totally useless. Be- 
fore setting about this, however, he stole a moment to look into 
the state of things among the Arabs. It was indeed time, for 
the tide had now fallen so low as to leave the rocks nearly 
bare, and several hundreds of the barbarians were advancing 
along the reef, towing their bridge, the slow progress of which 
alone prevented them from coming up at once to the point op- 
posite the ship. Paul saw there was not a moment to lose, 
and, calling Saunders, he hurried below. 

Three or four small casks were soon found, when the steward 
brought them to the tank to be filled. Luckily the water had 
not to be pumped off*, but it ran in a stream into the vessel that 
was placed to receive it. As soon as one cask was ready, it 
was carried on deck by the gentlemen, and was struck into the 
boat with as little delay as possible. The shouts of the Arabs 
now became audible, even to those who were below, and it re- 
quired great steadiness of nerve to continue the all-important 
preparation. At length the last of the casks was filled, when 
Paul rushed on deck, for, by this time, the cries of the barba- 
rians proclaimed their presence near the ship. When he 
reached the rail, he found the reef covered with them, some 
hailing the vessel, others menacing, hundreds still busied with 
their fioating bridge, while a few endeavored to frighten those 
on board by discharging their muskets over their heads. Hap- 
pily, aim was impossible, so long as care was taken not to ex- 
pose the body above the bulwarks. 

“We have not a moment to lose,” cried Mr. EflSngham, on 
whose bosom Eve lay, nearly incapable of motion. “ The food 
and water are in the boat, and, in the name of a merciful God, 
let us escape from this scene of frightful barbarity.” 

“ The danger is not yet so inevitable,” returned Paul steadily. 
“ Frightful and pressing as it truly seems, we have a few min- 
utes to think in. Let me entreat that Miss EflSngham and 
Mademoiselle Viefville will receive a drop of this cordial.” 

He poured into a glass a restorative from a bottle that had 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


355 


been left on the capstan as superfluous, in the confusion of pro- 
viding stores, and held it to the pallid lips of Eve. As she 
swallowed a mouthful, nearly as helpless as the infant that re- 
ceives nourishment from the hand of its nurse, the blood re- 
turned, and raising herself from her father’s arms, she smiled, 
though with an effort, and thanked him for his care. 

“ It was a dread moment,” she said, passing her hand over 
her brow ; “ but it is past, and I am better. Mademoiselle 
Yiefville will be obliged to you, also, for a little of this.” 

The firm-minded and spirited Frenchwoman, though pale as 
death, and evidently suffering under extreme apprehension, put 
aside the glass courteously, declining its contents. 

“We are sixty fathoms from the rocks,” said Paul calmly, 
“ and they must cross this ditch yet, to reach us. None of them 
seem disposed to attempt it by swimming, and their bridge, 
though ingeniously put together, may not prove long enough.” 

“Would it be safe for the ladies to get into the boat where 
she lies, exposed as they would be to the muskets of the Arabs?” 
inquired Mr. Sharp. 

“ All that shall be remedied,” returned Paul. “ I cannot 
quit the deck : would you,” slightly bowing to Mr. Sharp, “ go 
below again, with Saunders, and look for some light sail ? with- 
out one, we cannot move away from the ship, even when in the 
boat. I see a suitable spar and necessary rigging on deck ; but 
the canvas must be looked for in the sail-room. It is a nervous 
thing, I confess, to be below at such a moment ; but you have 
too much faith in us to dread being deserted.” 

Mr. Sharp grasped the hand as a pledge of a perfect reliance 
on the other’s faith, but he could not speak. Calling Saunders, 
the steward received his instructions, when the two went has- 
tily below. 

“ I could wish the ladies were in the boat with their women,” 
said Paul, for Ann Sidley and the femme de chambre were still 
in the launch, busied in disposing of its mixed cargo of stores, 
though concealed from the Arabs by the roof and shutters ; 


356 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ but it would be hazardous to attempt it while exposed to the 
fire from the reef. We shall have to change the position of 
the ship in the end, and it may as well be done at once.” 

Beckoning to John Effingham to follow, he went forward to 
examine into the movements of the Arabs once more before he 
took any decided step. The two gentlemen placed themselves 
behind the high defences of the forecastle, where they had a 
fair opportunity of reconnoitring their assailants, the greater 
height of the ship’s deck completely concealing all that had 
passed on it from the sight of those on the rocks. 

The barbarians, who seemed to be, and who in truth were 
fully apprised of the defenceless and feeble condition of the 
party on board, were at work without the smallest apprehen- 
sion of receiving any injury from that quarter.. Their great 
object was to get possession of the ship before the returning 
water should again drive them from the rocks. In order to 
effect this, they had placed all who were willing and sufficiently 
subordinate on the bridge, though a hundred were idle, shout- 
ing, clapping their hands, menacing, and occasionally discharg- 
ing a musket, of which there were probably fifty in their pos- 
session. 

“ They work with judgment at their pontoon,” said Paul, 
after he had examined the proceedings of those on the reef for 
a few minutes. “ You may perceive that they have dragged 
the outer edge of the bridge up to windward, and have just 
shoved it from the rocks, with the intention to permit it to 
drift round until it shall bring up against the bows of the ship, 
when they will pour on board like so many tigers. It. is a 
disjointed and loose contrivance, that the least sea would de- 
range ; but in this perfectly smooth water it will answer their 
purpose. It moves slowly, but will surely drift round upon us 
in the course of fifteen or twenty minutes more ; and of this 
they appear to be quite certain themselves, for they seem as 
well satisfied with their work as if already assured of its com- 
plete success.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


857 


“ It is, then, important to us to be prompt, since our time 
will be so brief.” 

“ We will be prompt, but in another mode. If you will 
assist me a little, I think this effort, at least, may be easily de- 
feated, after which it will be time enough to think of escape.” 

Paul, aided by John Effingham, now loosened the chains 
altogether from the bitts, and suffered the ship to drop astern. 
As this was done silently and stealthily, it occupied several 
minutes ; but the wind being by this time fresh, the huge mass 
yielded to its power with certainty ; and when the bridge had 
floated round in a direct line from the reef, or dead to leeward, 
there was a space of water between its end and the ship of 
more than a hundred feet. The Arabs had rushed on it in 
readiness to board, but they set up a yell of disappointment as 
soon as the truth was discovered. A tumult followed ; several 
fell from the wet and slippery spars ; but, after a short time 
wasted in confusion and clamor, the directions of their chiefs 
were obeyed, and they set to work with energy to break up 
their bridge, in order to convert its materials into a raft. 

By this time Mr. Sharp and Saunders had returned, bringing 
with them several light sails, such as spare royals and topgal- 
lant studding-sails. Paul next ordered a spare mizzen-topgal- 
lant-mast, with a topgallant studding-sail boom, and a quantity 
of light rope to be laid in the gangway, after which he set 
about the final step. As time now pressed in earnest, the 
Arabs working rapidly and wdth increasing shouts, he called 
upon all the gentlemen for assistance, giving such directions as 
should enable them to work with intelligence. 

“ Bear a hand, Saunders,” he said, having taken the steward 
forward with him, as one more accustomed to ships than the 
others ; “ bear a hand, my fine fellow, and light up this chain. 
Ten minutes just now are of more value than a year at another 
time.” 

“ ’Tis awful, Mr. Blunt, sir — werry awful, I do confirm,” re- 
turned the steward, blubbering and wiping his eyes between 


358 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the drags at the chains. “ Such a fate to befall such cabins, 
sir ! And the crockery of the werry best quality out of London 
or New York! Had I diwined such an issue for the Montauk, 
sir, I never would have counselled Captain Truck to lay in 
half the stores we did, and most essentially not the new lots of 
vines. Oh ! sir, it is truly awful to have such a calamity wisit 
so much elegant preparation 1” 

“ Forget it all, my fine fellow, and light up the chain. Ha 1 
she touches abaft 1 Ten or fifteen fathoms more will answer.” 

“ I’ve paid great dewotion to the silver, Mr. Blunt, sir, for 
it’s all in the launch, even to the broken mustard-spoon ; and I 
do hope, if Captain Truck’s soul is permitted to superintend the 
pantry any longer, it will be quite beatified and encouraged 
with my prudence and oversight. I left all the rest of the 
table furniture, sir; though I suppose these muscle-mm will 
not have much use for any but the oyster-knives, as I am in- 
formed they eat with their fingers. I declare it is quite 
oppressive and unhuman to have such wagabonds rummaging 
one’s lockers !”■ 

“ Rouse away, my man, and light up ! the ship has caught 
the breeze on her larboard bow, and begins to take the chain 
more freely. Remember that precious beings depend on us 
for safety.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir ; light up, it is. I feel quite a concern for the 
ladies, sir, and more especially for the stores we abandon to 
the underwriters. A better-found ship never came out of St. 
Catherine’s Docks or the East River, particularly in the pantry 
department ; and I wonder what these wretches will do with 
her. They will be quite abashed wuth her conveniences, sir, 
and unable to enjoy them. Poor Toast, too 1 he will have a 
monstrous unpleasant time with the muscle-mQn^ for he never 
eats fish, and has quite a genteel and ameliorated way with 
him. I shouldn’t wonder if he forgot all I have taken so much 
pains to teach him, sir, unless he’s dead ; ip which case it will 
be of no use to him in another world.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


359 


“ That will do,” interrupted Paul, ceasing his labor ; “ the 
ship is aground from forward aft. We will now hurry the 
spars and sails into the boat, and let the ladies get into her.” 

In order that the reader may better understand the present 
situation of the ship, it may be necessary to explain what Mr. 
Powis and the steward had been doing all this time. By pay- 
ing out the chains, the ship had fallen farther astern, until she 
took the ground abaft on the edge of the sandbank so often 
mentioned ; and once fast at that end, her bows had fallen off, 
pressed by the wind, as long as the depth of the water would 
allow. She now lay aground forward and aft, with her star- 
board side to the reef, and the launch, between the vessel and 
the naked sands, was completely covered from the observations 
and assaults of the barbarians by the former. 

Eve, Mademoiselle Viefville, and Mr. Effingham now got 
into the launch, while the others still remained in the ship to 
complete the preparations. 

“ They get on fast with their raft,” said Paul, while he both 
worked himself and directed the labor of the others : “ though 
we shall be safe here until they actually quit the rocks. Their 
spars will be certain to float down upon the ship, but the 
movement will necessarily be slow, as the water is too deep to 
admit of setting, even if they had poles, of which I see none. 
Throw these spare sails on the roof of the launch, Saunders. 
They may be wanted before we reach a port, should God pro- 
tect us long enough to effect so much. Pass two compasses 
also into the boat, with all the carpenter’s tools that have been 
collected.” 

While giving these orders, Paul was busied in sawing off 
the larger end of the pole-mizzen-topgallant-mast, to convert it 
into a spar for the launch. This was done by the time he 
ceased speaking ; a step was made, and, jumping down on the 
roof of the boat, he cut out a hole to receive it, at a spot he 
had previously marked for that purpose. By the time he had 
done the spar was ready to be entered, and in another minute 


360 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


they had the satisfaction of seeing a very sufficient mast in its 
place. A royal was also stretched to its yard, and halyards, 
tack, and sheet being bent, every thing was ready to run up a 
sail at a moment’s warning. As this supplied the means of 
motion, the gentlemen began to breathe more freely, and to be- 
think them of those minor comforts and essentials that in the 
hurry of such a scene would be likely to be overlooked. After 
a few more busy minutes all was pronounced to be ready, and 
John Effingham began seriously to urge the party to quit the 
ship ; but Paul still hesitated. He strained his eyes in the 
direction of the wreck, in the vain hope of yet receiving succor 
from that quarter ; but, of course, uselessly, as it was about the 
time when Captain Truck was warping off with his raft, in 
order to obtain an offing. Just at this moment a party of 
twenty Arabs got upon the spars, which they had brought to- 
gether into a single body, and began to drift down slowly upon 
the ship. 

Paul cast a look about him to see if any thing* else that was 
useful could be found, and his eyes fell upon the gun. It struck 
him that it might be made serviceable as a scarecrow in forcing 
their way through the inlet, and he determined to lodge it on 
the roof of the launch, for the present, at least, and to throw it 
overboard as soon as they got into rough water, if indeed they 
should be so fortunate as to get outside of the reef at all. The 
stay and yard tackles offered the necessary facilities, and he in- 
stantly slung the piece. A few rounds of the capstan lifted it 
from the deck, a few more bore it clear of the side, and then it 
was easily lowered on the roof, Saunders being sent into the 
boat to set up a stanchion beneath, in order that its weight 
might do no injury. 

The gentlemen at last got into the launch, with the excep- 
tion of Paul, who still lingered in the ship watching the progress 
of the Arabs, and making his calculations for the future. 

It required great steadiness of nerve, perfect self-reliance, and 
an entire confidence in his resources and knowledge, for one to 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


361 


remain a passive spectator of the slow drift of the raft, while i1 
gradually settled down on the ship. As it approached, Paul 
was seen by those on it, and, with the usual duplicity of barba- 
rians, they made signs of amity and, encouragement. These 
signs did not deceive the young man, however, who only re- 
mained to be a close observer of their conduct, thinking some 
useful hint might thus be obtained, though his calmness so far 
imposed on the Arabs that they even made signs to him to 
throw them a rope. Believing it now time to depart, he an- 
swered the signal favorably, and disappeared from their sight. 

Even in descending to the boat, this trained and cool young 
seaman betrayed no haste. His movements were quick, and 
every thing was done with readiness and knowledge certainly, 
but no confusion or trepidation occasioned the loss of a mo- 
ment. He hoisted the sail, brought down the tack, and then 
descended beneath the roof, having first hauled in the painter, 
and given the boat a long and vigorous shove, to force it from 
the side of the vessel. By this last expedient he at once placed 
thirty feet of water between the boat and the Montauk, a space 
that the Arabs had no means of overcoming. As soon as he 
was beneath the roof the sheet was hauled in, and Paul seized 
the tiller, which had been made, by means of a narrow cut in 
the boards, to play in one of the shutters. Mr. Sharp took a 
position in the bows, where he could see the sands and chan- 
nels through the crevices, directing the other how to steer ; and 
just as a shout announced the arrival of the raft at the other 
side of the ship, the flap of their sail gave those in the boat the 
welcome intelligence that they had got so far from her cover 
as to feel the force of the wind. 

16 


362 


H O MEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

Speed, gallant bark I richer cargo is thine, 

Than Brazilian gem, or Peruvian mine ; 

And the treasures thou bearest thy destiny wait. 

For they, if thou perish, must share in thy fate.” 

Park. 

The departure of the boat was excellently timed. Had it 
left the side of the ship while the Arabs on the raft were unoc- 
cupied, and at a little distance, it would have been exposed to 
their fire ; for at least a dozen of those who boarded had mus- 
kets; whereas the boat now glided away to leeward, while 
they were busy in getting up her side, or were so near the ship 
as not to be able to see the launch at all. When Paul Powis, 
who was looking astern through a crevice, saw the first Arab 
on the deck of the Montauk, the launch was already near a 
cable’s length from her, running with a fresh and free wind 
into one of the numerous little channels that intersected the 
naked banks of sand. The • unusual construction of the boat, 
with its inclosed roof, and the circumstance that no one was 
visible on board her, had the effect to keep the barbarians pas- 
sive, until distance put her beyond the reach of danger. A few 
muskets were discharged, but they were fired at random, and 
in the bravado of a semi-savage state of feeling. 

Paul kept the launch running off free, until he was near a 
mile from the ship, when, finding he was approaching the reef 
to the northward and eastward, and that a favorable sandbank 
lay a short distance ahead, he put down the helm, let the sheet 
fly, and the boat’s forefoot shot upon the sands. By a little 
management, the launch was got broadside to the bank, the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


363 


water being sufficiently deep, and, when it was secured, the 
females were enabled to land through the opening of a shutter. 

The- change from the apparent hopelessness of their situa- 
tion was so great, as to render the whole party comparatively 
happy. Paul and John Effingham united in affirming it would 
be quite possible to reach one of the islands to leeward in so 
good a boat, and that they ought to deem themselves fortunate, 
under the circumstances, in being the masters of a little bark so 
well found in every essential. Eve and Mademoiselle Yiefville, 
who had fervently returned their thanks to the Great Euler of 
events, while in the boat, walked about the hard sand with even 
a sense of enjoyment, and smiles began again to brighten the 
beautiful features of the first. Mr. Effingham declared, with a 
grateful heart, that in no park, or garden, had he ever before 
met with a promenade that seemed so delightful as this spot of 
naked and moistened sand, on the sterile coast of the Great 
Desert. Its charm was its security, for its distance from every 
point that could be approached by the Arabs, rendered it, in 
their eyes, a paradise. 

Paul Powis, however, though he maintained a cheerful air, 
and the knowledge that he had been so instrumental in saving 
the party lightened his heart of a load, and disposed him even 
to gayety, was not without some lingering remains of uneasi- 
ness. He remembered the boats of the Dane, and, as he thought 
it more than probable Captain Truck had fallen into the hands 
of the barbarians, he feared that the latter might yet find the 
means to lay hands on themselves. While he was at work fit- 
ting the rigging and preparing a jigger, with a view to render 
the launch more manageable, he cast frequent uneasy glances 
to the northward, with a feverish apprehension that one of the 
so-long-wished-for boats might at length appear. Their friends 
he no longer expected, but his fears were all directed towards 
the premature arrival of euemies from that quarter. None ap- 
peared, however, and Saunders actually lighted a fire on the 
bank, and prepared the grateful refreshment of tea for the whole 


364 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


party ; none of whicli had tasted food since morning, though 
it was now drawing near night. 

“ Our caterers,” said Paul, smiling, as he cast his eyes over 
the repast which Ann Sidley had spread on the roof of the 
boat, where they were all seated on stools, boxes, and trunks, 
“ our caterers have been of the gentler sex, as any one may 
see, for we have delicacies that are fitter for a banquet than a 
desert.” 

“ I thought Miss Eve would relish them, sir,” Nanny meekly 
excused herself by saying ; “ she is not much accustomed to a 
coarse diet ; and mamerzelle, too, likes niceties, as I believe ia 
the case with all of French extraction.” 

Eve’s eyes glistened, though she felt it necessary to say some- 
thing by way of apology. 

“ Poor Ann has been so long accustomed to humor the capri- 
ces of a petted girl,” she said, “ that I fear those who will have 
occasion for all their strength may be the sufferers. I should 
regret it forever, Mr. Powis, if yow, who are every way of so 
much importance to us, should not find the food you required.” 

“ I have very inadvertently and unwittingly drawn down upon 
myself the suspicion of being one of Mr. Monday’s gourmets^ a 
plain roast and boiled person,” the young man answered laugh- 
ingly, “ when it was merely my desire to express the pleasure I 
had in perceiving that those whose comfort and ease are of more 
account than any thing else, have been so well cared for. I 
could almost starve with satisfaction. Miss Effingham, if I saw 
you free from suffering under the extraordinary circumstances 
in which we are placed.” 

Eve looked grateful, and the emotion excited by this speech 
restored all that beauty which had so lately been chilled by 
fear. 

“ Did I not hear a dialogue between you and Mr. Saunders 
touching the merits of sundry stores that had been left in the 
ship ?” asked John Effingham, turning to Paul by way of reliev- 
ing his cousin’s distress. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


365 


“ Indeed you might ; he relieved the time we were rousing 
at the chains with a beautiful Jeremiad on the calamities of 
the lockers. I fancy, steward, that you consider the misfortunes 
of the pantry as the heaviest disaster that has befallen the 
Montauk !” 

Saunders seldom smiled. In this particular he resembled 
Captain Truck ; the one subduing all light emotions from an 
inveterate habit of serious comicality, and the responsibility of 
command ; and the other having lost, most of his disposition to 
merriment, as the cart-horse loses his propensity to kick, from 
being overworked. The steward, moreover, had taken up the 
conceit that it was indicative of a “ nigger” to be merry ; and, 
between dignity, a proper regard to his color — which was about 
half-way between that of a Gold Coast importation, and a rice- 
plantation overseer, down with the fever in his third season — 
and dogged submission to unmitigated calls on his time, the 
prevailing character of the poor fellow’s physiognomy was that 
of a dolorous sentimentality. He believed himself to be ma- 
terially refined by having had so much intimate communica- 
tion with gentlemen and ladies suflfering under sea-sickness, 
and he knew that no man in the ship could use language like 
that he had always at his fingers’ ends. While so strongly 
addicted to melancholy, therefore, he was fond of hearing 
himself talk ; and, palpably encouraged as he had now been 
by John Effingham and Paul, and a little emboldened by the 
familiarity of a shipwreck, he did not hesitate about mingling 
in the discourse, though holding the Effinghams habitually in 
awe. 

“ I esteem it a great privilege, ladies and gentlemen,” he ob- 
served, as soon as Paul ceased, “ to have the honor of being 
wracked (for so the steward, in conformity with the Doric of the 
forecastle, pronounced the word) in such company. I should 
deem it a disgrace to be cast away in some society I could name, 
although I will predicate, as we say in America, nothing on their 
absence. As to what inwolves the stores, it surgested itself to 


366 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


me that the ladies would like delicate diet, and I intermated as 
much to Mrs. Sidley and t’other French waiting-woman. Do you 
imagine, gentlemen, that the souls of the dead are permitted to 
look back at such ewents of this life as touches their own pri- 
vate concerns and feelings ?” 

“ That would depend, I should think, steward, on the nature 
of the employment of the souls themselves,” returned John 
Effingham. “ There must be certain souls to which any occu- 
pation would be more agreeable than that of looking behind 
them. But, may I ask why you inquire ?” 

“ Because, Mr. John Effingham, sir, I do not believe Captain 
Truck can ever be happy in heaven, as long as the ship is in 
the hands of the Arabs ! If she had been honorably and fairly 
wracked, and the captain suffercated by drowning, he could go 
to sleep like another Christian ; but, I do think, sir, if there be 
any special perdition for seamen, it must be to see their vessel 
rummaged by Arabs. I’ll warrant, now, those blackguards 
have had their fingers in every thing already ; sugar, chocolate, 
raisins, coffee, cakes, and all ! I wonder who they think would 
like to use articles they have handled ! And there is poor 
Toast, gentlemen, an aspiring and improving young man ; one 
who had the materials of a good steward in him, though I can 
hardly say they were completely deweloped. I did look for- 
ward to the day when I could consign him to Mr. Leach as 
my own predecessor, when Captain Truck and I should re- 
tire, as I have no doubt we should have done on the same 
day, but for this distressing accident. I dewoutly pray that 
Toast is deceased, for I would rather any misfortune should be- 
fall him in the other world than that he should be compelled 
to associate with Arab niggers in this. Dead or alive, ladies, I 
am an advocate for a man’s keeping himself respectable, and in 
proper company.” 

So elastic had the spirits of the whole become by their un- 
looked-for escape, that Saunders was indulged to the top of 
his humor, and while he served the meal, passing between his 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


367 


fire on the sands and the roof of the launch, he enjoyed a 
heartier gossip than any he had had since they left the dock; not 
even excepting those sniggering scenes with Mr. Toast in the 
pantry, in which he used to unbend himself a little, forgetting 
his dignity as steward in the native propensities of the black. 

Paul Powis entered but a moment into the trifling, for on 
him rested the safety of all. He alone could navigate, or even 
manage the boat in rough water ; and, while the others conflded 
so implicitly in his steadiness and skill, he felt the usual burden 
of responsibility. When the supper was ended, and the party 
were walking up and down the little islet of sand, he took his 
station on the roof, therefore, and examined the proceedings of 
the Arabs with the glass ; Mr. Sharp, with a species of chival- 
rous self-denial that was not lost on his companion, foregoing 
the happiness of walking at the side of Eve, to remain near him. 

“ The wretches have laid waste the cabins already !” observed 
Mr. Sharp, when Paul had been looking at the ship some little 
time. “ That which it took months to produce they will destroy 
in an hour.” 

“ I do not see that,” returned Paul ; “ there are but about fifty 
in the ship, and their efibrts seem to be directed to hauling her 
over against the rocks. They have no means of landing their 
plunder where she lies ; and I suspect there is a sort of conven- 
tion that all are to start fair. One or two, who appear to be 
chiefs, go in and out of the cabins ; but the rest are actively 
engaged in endeavoring to move the ship.” 

“ And with what success ?” 

“ None, apparently. It exceeds their knowledge of mechanics 
to force so heavy a mass from its position. The wind has driven 
the ship firmly on the bank, and nothing short of the windlass, 
or capstan, can remove her. These ignorant creatures have got 
two or three small ropes between the vessel and the reef, and 
are pulling fruitlessly at both ends ! But our chief concern will 
be to find an outlet into the ocean, when we will make the best 
of our way towards the Cape de Verds.” 


368 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Paul now commenced a long and close examination of the 
reef, to ascertain by what openings he might get the launch on 
the outside. To the northward of the great inlet there was a 
continued line of rocks, on which he was sorry to perceive armed 
Arabs beginning to show themselves ; a sign that the barbarians 
still entertained the hope of capturing the party. Southward 
of the inlet there were many places in which a boat might pass 
at half- tide, and he trusted to getting through one of them as 
soon as it became dark. As the escape in the boat could not 
have been foreseen, the Arabs had not yet brought down upon 
them the boats of the wreck ; but should morning dawn and 
find them still within the reef, he saw no hope of final escape 
against boats that would possess the advantage of oars, ignorant 
as the barbarians might be of their proper use. 

Every thing was now ready. The interior of the launch was 
divided into two apartments by counterpanes, trunks, and 
boxes ; the females spreading their mattresses in the forward 
room, and the males in the other. Some of those profound in- 
terpreters of the law, who illustrate legislation by the devices of 
trade, had shipped in the Montauk several hundred rude leaden 
busts of Napoleon, with a view to save the distinction in duties 
between the metal manufactured and the metal unmanufactured. 
Four or five of these busts had been struck into the launch as 
ballast. They were now snugly stowed, together with the 
water, and all the heavier articles, in the bottom of the boat. 
The jigger had been made and bent, and a suitable mast was 
stepped by means of the roof. In short, every provision for 
comfort or safety that Paul could think of had been attended 
to ; and every thing was in readiness to re-embark as soon as 
the proper hour should arrive. 

The gentler portion of the party were seated on the edge of 
the roof, watching the setting sun, and engaged in a discourse 
with feelings more attempered to their actual condition than 
had been the case immediately after their escape. The evening 
had a little of that wild and watery aspect which, about the 


homeward bound. 


369 


same hour, had given Captain Truck so much concern ; but the 
sun dipped gorgeously into the liquid world of the West, and 
the whole scene, including the endless desert, the black reef, the 
stranded ship, and the movements of the bustling Arabs, was 
one of gloomy grandeur. 

“ Could we foretell the events of a month,” said John Effing- 
ham, “ with what different feelings from the present would life 
be checkered ! When we left London, the twenty days since, 
our eyes and minds were filled with the movements, cares, re- 
finements, and interest of a great and polished capital, and here 
we sit, houseless wanderers, gazing at an eventide on the coast 
of Africa ! In this way, young men, and young ladies too, will 
you find, as life glides away, that the future will disappoint the 
expectations of the present moment !” 

“ All futures are not gloomy, cousin Jack,” said Eve ; “ nor 
is all hope doomed to meet with disappointment. A merciful 
God cares for us when we are reduced to despair on our own 
account, and throws a ray of unexpected light on our darkest 
hours. Certainly we, of all his creatures, ought not to deny 
this !” 

“I do not deny it. We have been rescued in a manner so 
simple as to seem unavoidable, and yet so unexpected as to be 
almost miraculous. Had not Mr. Blunt, or Mr. Powis, as you 
call him — although I am not in the secret of the masquerade — 
but, had not this gentleman been a seaman, it would have sur- 
passed all our means to get this boat into the water, or even 
to use her properly were she even launched. I look upon his 
profession as being the first great providential interference, or 
provision, in our behalf ; and his superior skill and readiness 
in that profession as a circumstance of no less importance 
to us.” 

Eve was silent ; but the glow in the western sky was scarcely 
more radiant and bright than the look she cast on the subject 
of the remark. 

“ It is no great merit to be a seaman, for the trade is like 
16 ^ 


3V0 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


another, a mere matter of practice and education,” observed 
Paul, after a moment of awkward hesitation. “ If, as you say, 
I have been instrumental in serving you, I shall never regret 
the accidents — cruel accidents of my early life I had almost 
called them — that cast my fortunes so early on the ocean.” 

A falling pin would have been heard, and all hoped the 
young man would proceed ; but he chose to be silent. Saunders 
happened to overhear the remark, for he was aiding Ann Sidley 
in the boat, and he took up the subject where it was left by 
the other, in a little aside with his companion. 

“ It is a misfortune that Mr. Dodge is not here to question 
the gentleman,” said the steward to his assistant, “ and then 
we might hear more of his adwentures, which, I make no doubt, 
have been werry pathetic and romantical. Mr. Dodge is a 
genuine inquisitor. Mistress Ann ; not such an inquisitor as 
burns people and flays them in Spain, where I have been, but 
such an inquisitor as torments people, and of whom we have 
lots in America.” 

“Let the poor man rest in peace,” said Nanny, sighing. 
“ He’s gone to his great account, steward ; and I fear we shall 
none of us make as good a figure as we might at the final 
settling. Besides Miss Eve, I never knew a mortal that wasn’t 
more or less a sinner.” 

“ So they all say ; and I must allow that my experience leans 
to the wicked side of the question. Captain Truck, now, was 
a worthy man ; but he had his faults, as well as Toast. In the 
first place, he would swear when things took him aback ; and 
then, he had no prewarication about speaking his mind of a 
fellow-creature, if the coffee happened to be thick, or the poul- 
try didn’t take fat kindly. I’ve known him box the compass 
with oaths if the ship was got in irons.” 

“ It s very sinful ; and it is to be feared that the poor man 
was made to think of all this in his latter moments.” 

“ If the Arabs undertook to cannibalize him, I think he must 
have given it to them right and left,” continued Saunders, 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


371 


wiping an eye, for between him and the captain there had ex- 
isted some such affection as the prisoner comes to feel for the 
handcuffs with which he amuses his ennui; “some of his oaths 
would choke a dog.” 

“ Well, let him rest — let him rest. Providence is kind, and 
the poor man may have repented in season.” 

“ And Toast, too ! I’m sure, Mrs. Ann, I forgive Toast all the 
little mistakes he made, from the bottom of my heart, and par- 
ticularly that affair of the beefsteak that he let fall into the 
coffee the morning that Captain Truck took me so flat aback 
about it ; and I pray most dewoutly that the captain, now he 
has dropped this mortal coil, and that there is nothing left of 
him but soul, may not And it out, lest it should breed ill-blood 
between them in heaven.” 

“ Steward, you scarcely know what you say,” interrupted 
Ann, shocked at his ignorance, “ and I will speak of it no 
more.” 

Mr. Saunders was compelled to acquiesce, and he amused 
himself by listening to what was said by those on the roof. 
As Paul did not choose to explain farther, however, the con- 
versation was resumed as if he had said nothing. They talked 
of their escape, their hopes, and of the supposed fate of the rest 
of the party ; the discourse leaving a feeling of sadness on all, 
that harmonized with the melancholy but not unpicturesque 
scene in which they were placed. At length the night set in ; 
and as it threatened to be dark and damp, the ladies early 
made their arrangements to retire. The gentlemen remained 
on the sands much later ; and it was ten o’clock before Paul 
Powis and Mr. Sharp, who had assumed the watch, were left 
alone. 

This was about an hour later than the period already de- 
scribed as the moment when Captain Truck disposed himself 
to sleep in the launch of the Dane. The weather had sensibly 
altered in the brief interval, and there were signs that, to the 
understanding of our young seaman, denoted a change. The 


372 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


darkness was intense. So deep and pitchy black, indeed, had 
the night become, that even the land was no longer to be dis- 
tinguished, and the only clues the two gentlemen had to its 
position, were the mouldering watch-fires of the Arab camp, 
and the direction of the wind. 

“ We will now make an attempt,” said Paul, stopping in his 
short walk on the sand, and examining the murky vault over 
head. “ Midnight is near, and by two o’clock the tide will be 
entirely up. It is a dark night to thread these narrow channels 
in, and to go out upon the ocean, too, in so frail a bark ! But 
the alternative is worse.” 

“Would it not be better to allow the water to rise still 
higher ? I see by these sands that it has not yet done coming 
in.” 

“ There is not much tide in these low latitudes, and the little 
rise that is left may help us off a bank, should we strike one. 
If you will get upon the roof, I will bring in the grapnels and 
force the boat off.” 

Mr. Sharp complied, and in a few minutes the launch was 
floating slowly away from the hospitable bank of sand. Paul 
hauled out the jigger, a small spritsail, that kept itself close- 
hauled from being fastened to a stationary boom, and a little 
mast stepped quite aft, the effect of which was to press the 
boat against the wind. This brought the launch’s head up, 
and it was just possible to see, by close attention, that they had 
a slight motion through the water. 

“ I quit that bank of sand as one quits a tried friend,” said 
Paul, all the conversation now being in little more than whis- 
pers : “ when near it, I know where we are ; but presently we 
shall be absolutely lost in this intense darkness.” 

“We have the fires of the Arabs for lighthouses still.” 

“ They may give us some faint notions of our position ; but 
light like that is a very treacherous guide in so dark a night. 
We have little else to do but to keep an eye on the water, and 
to endeavor to get to windward.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


373 


Paul set the lug-sail, into which he had converted the royal, 
and seated himself directly in the eyes of the boat, with a leg 
hanging down on each side of the cutwater. He had rigged 
lines to the tiller, and with one in each hand, he steered as 
if managing a boat with yoke-lines. Mr. Sharp was seated at 
hand, holding the sheet of the mainsail ; a boat-hook and a 
light spar lying on the roof near by, in readiness to be used 
should they ground. 

While on the bank, Paul had observed that by keeping the 
boat near the wind, he might stretch through one of the widest 
of the channels for near two miles, unless disturbed by currents, 
and that when at its southern end, he should be far enough to 
windward to fetch the inlet, but for the banks of sand that 
might lie in his way. The distance had prevented his discern- 
ing any passage through the reef at the farther end of this 
channel ; but the boat drawing only two feet of water, he was 
not without hopes of being able to find one. A chasm, that 
was deep enough to prevent the passage of the Arabs when the 
tide was in, would, he thought, certainly suffice for their pur- 
pose. The progress of the boat was steady, and reasonably 
fast ; but it was like moving in a mass of obscurity. The gen- 
tlemen watched the water ahead intently, with a view to avoid 
the banks, but with little success ; for, as they advanced, it was 
merely one pile of gloom succeeding another. Fortunately the 
previous observation of Paul availed them, and for more than 
half an hour their progress was uninterrupted. 

“ They sleep in security beneath us,” said Paul, “ while we 
are steering almost at random. This is a strange and hazard- 
ous situation in which we are placed. The obscurity renders 
all the risks double.” 

“ By the watch-fires, we must have nearly crossed the bay, 
and I should think we are now quite near the southern reef.” 

“ I think the same ; but I like not this baffling of the wind. 
It comes fresher at moments, but it is in puffs, and I fear there 
will be a shift. It is now my best pilot.” 


374 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ That and the fires.” 

“The fires are treacherous always. It looks darker than 
ever ahead!” 

The wind ceased blowing altogether, and the sail fell in 
heavily. Almost at the same moment the launch lost its way, 
and Paul had time to thrust the boat-hook forward just in sea- 
son to prevent its striking a rock. 

“ This is a part of the reef, then, that is never covered,” said 
he. “ K you will get on the rocks and hold the boat, I will en- 
deavor to examine the place for a passage. Were we one hun- 
dred feet to the southward and westward, we should be in the 
open ocean, and comparatively safe.” 

Mr. Sharp complied, and Paul descended carefully on the 
reef, feeling his way in the intense darkness by means of the 
boat-hook. He was absent ten- minutes, moving with great cau- 
tion, as there was the danger of his falling into the sea at every 
step. His friend began to be uneasy, and the whole of the 
jeopardy of their situation presented itself vividly to his mind 
in that brief space of time, should accident befall their only 
guide. He was looking anxiously in the direction in which 
Paul had disappeared, when he felt a gripe of his arm. 

“ Breathe even with care 1” whispered Paul hurriedly, 
“ These rocks are covered with Arabs, who have chosen to re- 
main on the dry parts of the reef, in readiness for their plunder 
in the morning. Thank Heaven ! I have found you again ; for 
I was beginning to despair. To have called to you would have 
been certain capture, as eight or ten of the barbarians are sleep- 
ing within fifty feet of us. Get on the roof with the least pos- 
sible noise, and leave the rest to me.” 

As soon as Mr. Sharp was in the boat, Paul gave it a violent 
shove from the rocks, and sprang on the roof at the same mo- 
ment. This forced the launch astern, and procured a momen- 
tary safety. But the wind had shifted. It now came baffling, 
and in puffs, from the Desert, a circumstance that brought them 
again to leeward. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


375 


“ This is the commencement of the trades,” said Paul ; “ they 
have been interrupted by the late gale, but are returning. Were 
we outside the reef, our prayers could not be more kindly an- 
swered than by giving us this very wind ; but here, where we 
are, it comes unseasonably. Ha ! — this, at least, helps her !” 

A puff from the land filled the sails, and the ripple of the 
water at the stern was just audible. The helm was attended to, 
and the boat drew slowly from the reef and ahead. 

“We have all reason for gratitude! That danger, at least, 
is avoided. Ha ! the boat is aground 1” 

Sure enough, the launch was on the sands. They were still 
so near the rocks as to require the utmost caution in their pro- 
ceedings. Using the spar with great care, the gentlemen dis- 
covered that the boat hung astern, and there remained no 
choice but patience. 

“ It is fortunate the Arabs have no dogs with them on the 
rocks : you hear them howling incessantly in their camps.” 

“ It is truly. Think you we can ever find the inlet in this 
deep obscurity ?” 

“ It is our only course. By following the rocks we should 
be certain to discover it ; but you perceive they are already out 
of sight, though they cannot be thirty fathoms from us. The 
helm is free, and the boat must be clear of the bottom again. 
This last puff has helped us.” 

Another silence succeeded, during which the launch moved 
slowly onward, though whither, neither of the gentlemen could 
tell. But a single fire remained in sight, and that glimmered 
like a dying blaze. At times the wind came hot and arid, sa- 
voring of the Desert, and then intervals of death-like calm 
would follow. Paul watched the boat narrowly for half an 
hour, turning every breath of air to the best account, though 
he was absolutely ignorant of his position. The reef had not 
been seen again, and three several times they grounded, the 
tide as often floating them off. The course, too, had been re- 
peatedly varied. The result was, that painful and profound 


316 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


sensation of helplessness that overcomes us all when the chain 
of association is broken, and reason becomes an agent less use- 
ful than instinct. 

“ The last fire is out,” whispered Paul. “ I fear that the day 
will dawn and find us still within the reef.” 

“ I see an object near us. Can it be a high bank ?” 

The wind had entirely ceased, and the boat was almost with- 
out motion. Paul saw a darkness more intense even than com- 
mon ahead of him, and he leaned forward, naturally raising a 
hand before him in precaution. Something he touched, he 
knew not what ; but feeling a hard smooth surface, that he at 
first mistook for a rock, he raised his eyes slowly, and discerned, 
by the little light that lingered in the vault of heaven, a dim 
tracery that he recognized. His hand was on the quarter of 
the ship I 

“’Tis the Montauk!” he whispered breathlessly, “and her 
decks must be covered with Arabs. Hist! — do you hear 
nothing ?” 

They listened ; and smothered voices, those of the watch, 
mingled with low laughter, were quite audible. This was a 
crisis to disturb the coolness of one less trained and steady than 
Paul ; but he preserved his self-possession. 

“ There is good as well as evil in this,” he whispered. “ I 
now know our precise position ; and, God be praised ! the inlet 
is near, could we but reach it. — By a strong shove we can 
always force the launch from the vessel’s side, and prevent their 
boarding us 5 and I think, with extreme caution, we may even 
haul the boat past the ship undetected.” 

This delicate task was undertaken. It was necessary to 
avoid even a tread heavier than common, a fall of the boat- 
hook, or a collision with the vessel, as the slightest noise be- 
came distinctly audible in the profound stillness of deep night. 
Once enlightened as to his real position, however, Paul saw 
with his mind’s eye obstructions that another might not have 
avoided. He knew exactly where to lay his hknd, when to 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


377 


bear olf, and when to approach nearer to the side of the ship, 
as he warily drew the boat along the massive hull. — The yard 
of the launch luckily leaned towards the reef, and offered no 
impediment. In this manner, then, the two gentlemen hauled 
their boat as far as the bows of the ship, and Paul was on the 
point of giving a last push, with a view to shove it to as great 
a distance as possible ahead of the packet, when its movement 
was suddenly and violently arrested. 


318 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


“ And when the hours of rest 
Come, like a calm upon the mid-sea brine, 

Hushing its billowy breast — 

The quiet of that moment, too, is thine ; 

It breathes of Him who keeps 
The vast and helpless city while it sleeps.” 

Bbyant. 

It was chilling to meet with this unexpected and sudden 
check at so critical a moment. The first impression was, that 
some one of the hundreds of Arabs, who were known to be 
near, had laid a hand on the launch ; but this fear vanished on 
examination. No one was visible, and the side of the boat was 
untouched. The boat-hook could find no impediment in the 
water, and it was not possible that they could again be aground. 
Raising the boat-hook over his head, Paul soon detected the 
obstacle. The line used by the barbarians in their efforts to 
move the ship, was stretched from the forecastle to the reef, and 
it lay against the boat’s mast. It was severed with caution ; 
but the short end slipped from the hand of Mr. Sharp, who cut 
the rope, and fell into the water. The noise was heard, and 
the watch on the deck of the ship made a rush towards her 
side. 

No time was to be lost; but Paul, who still held the outer 
end of the line, pulled on it vigorously, hauling the boat 
swiftly from the ship, and, at the same time, a little in ad- 
vance. As soon as this was done, he dropped the line and 
seized the tiller-ropes, in order to keep the launch’s head in 
a direction between the two dangers — the ship and the reef. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


379 


This was not done without some little noise ; the footfall on 
the roof, and the plash of the water when it received the line, 
were audible ; and even the element washing under the hows 
of the boat was heard. The Arabs of the ship called to those 
on the reef, and the latter answered. They took the alarm, 
and awoke their comrades, for, knowing as they did that the 
party of Captain Truck was still at liberty, they apprehended 
an attack. 

The clamor and uproar that succeeded were terrific. Mus- 
kets were discharged at random, and the noises from the camp 
echoed the cries and tumult from the vessel and the rocks. 
Those who had been sleeping in the boat were rudely awaked, 
and Saunders joined in the cries through sheer fright. But 
the two gentlemen on deck soon caused their companions to 
understand their situation, and to observe a profound silence. 

“ They do not appear to see us,” whispered Paul to Eve, as 
he bent over, so as to put his head at an open window ; “ and 
a return of the breeze may still save us. There is a great alarm 
among them, and no doubt they know we are not distant ; but 
so long as they cannot tell precisely where, we are compara- 
tively safe. Their cries do us good service as landmarks, and 
you may be certain I shall not approach the spots where they 
are heard. Pray Heaven for a wind, dearest Miss Eflingham, 
pray Heaven for a wind !” 

Eve silently, but fervently, did pray, while the young man 
gave all his attention again to the boat. As soon as they were 
clear of the lee of the ship, the baffling puffs returned, and 
there were several minutes of a steady little breeze, during 
which the boat sensibly moved away from the noises of the 
ship. On the reef, however, the clamor still continued, and the 
gentlemen were soon satisfied that the Arabs had stationed 
themselves along the whole line of rocks, wherever the latter 
were bare at high water, as was now nearly the case, to the 
northward as well as to the southward of the opening. 

“ The tide is still entering by the inlet,” said Paul, “ and we 


380 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


have its current to contend with. It is not strong, but a trifle 
is important at a moment like this.” 

“ Would it not be possible to reach the bank inside of us, 
and to shove the boat ahead by means of these light spars ?” 
asked Mr. Sharp. 

The suggestion was a good one ; but Paul was afraid the 
noise in the water might reach the Arabs, and expose the party 
to their fire, as the utmost distance between the reef and the 
inner bank at that particular spot did not exceed a hundred 
fathoms. At length another puff of air from the land pressed 
upon their sails, and the water once more rippled beneath the 
bows of the boat. Paul’s heart beat hard, and, as he managed 
the tiller-lines, he strained his eyes uselessly in order to pene- 
trate the massive-looking darkness. 

“ Surely,” he said to Mr. Sharp, who stood constantly at his 
elbow, “ these cries are directly ahead of us ! We are steering 
for the Arabs !” 

“We have got wrong in the dark, then. Lose not a mo- 
ment to keep the boat away, for here to leeward there are 
noises.” 

As all this was self-evident, though confused in his reckon- 
ing, Paul put up the helm, and the boat fell off nearly dead 
before the wind. Her motion being now comparatively rapid, 
a few minutes produced an obvious change in the direction of 
the different groups of clamorous Arabs, though they also 
brought a material lessening in the force of the air. 

“ I have it !” said Paul, grasping his companion almost 
convulsively by the arm. “ We are at the inlet, and heading, 
I trust, directly through it ! You hear the cries on our right ; 
they come from the end of the northern reef, while these on 
our left are from the end of the southern. The sounds from 
the ship, the direction of the land breeze, our distance — all 
confirm it, and Providence again befriends us !” 

“ It will be a fearful error should we be mistaken !” 

“We cannot be deceived, since nothing else will explain the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


S81 


circumstances. There ! — the boat feels the ground-swell — a 
blessed and certain sign that we are at the inlet ! Would that 
this tide were done, or that we had more wind !” 

Fifteen feverish minutes succeeded. At moments the puffs 
of night-air would force the boat ahead, and then again it was 
evident, by the cries, that she fell astern under the influence of 
an adverse current. Neither was it easy to keep her on the 
true course, for the slightest variation from the direct line in a 
tide’s way causes a vessel to sheer. To remedy the latter dan- 
ger, Paul was obliged to watch his helm closely, having no 
other guide than the noisy and continued vociferations of the 
Arabs. 

“ These liftings of the boat are full of hope,” resumed Paul ; 
“ I think, too, that they increase.” 

“ I perceive but little difference, though I would gladly see 
all you wish.” 

“ I am certain the swell increases, and that the boat rises 
and falls more frequently. You will allow there is a swell ?” 

“ Quite obviously : I perceived it before we kept the boat 
away. This variable air is cruelly tantalizing.” 

“ Sir George Templemore — Mr. Powis,” said a soft voice at 
a window beneath them. 

“ Miss Eftingham !” said Paul, so eager that he suffered the 
tiller-line to escape him. 

“These are frightful cries ! Shall we never be rid of 
them ?” 

“ If it depended on me — on either of us — they should dis- 
tress you no more. The boat is slowly entering the inlet, but 
has to struggle with a head tide. The wind baffles, and is light, 
or in ten minutes we should be out of danger.” 

“ Out of this danger, but only to encounter another 1” 

“ Nay, I do not think much of the risk of the ocean in so 
stout a boat. At the most, we may be compelled to cut away 
the roof, which makes our little bark somewhat clumsy in ap- 
pearance, though it adds infinitely to its comfort. I think we 


382 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


shall soon get the trades, before which our launch, with its 
house even, will be able to make good weather.” 

“We are certainly nearer those cries than before!” 

Paul felt his cheek glow, and his hand hurriedly sought the 
tiller-line, for the boat had sensibly sheered towards the north- 
ern reef. A puff of air helped to repair his oversight, and all 
in the launch soon perceived that the cries were gradually but 
distinctly drawing more aft. 

“ The current lessens,” said Paul, “ and it is full time ; for it 
must be near high water. We shall soon feel it in our favor, 
when all will be safe.” 

“ This is indeed blessed tidings ; and no gratitude can ever 
repay the debt we owe you, Mr. Powis.” 

The puffs of air now required all the attention of Paul, for 
they again became variable, and at last the wind drew directly 
ahead in a continued current for half an hour. ' As soon as this 
change was felt, the sails were trimmed to it, and the boat be- 
gan to stir the water under her bows. 

“ The shift was so sudden, that we cannot be mistaken in its 
direction,” Paul remarked ; “ besides, those cries still serve as 
pilots. Never was uproar more agreeable.” 

“ I feel the bottom with this spar !” said Mr. Sharp suddenly. 

“ Merciful Providence, protect and shield the weak and 
lovely—” 

“Nay, I feel it no longer : we are already in deeper water.” 

“It was the rock on which the seamen stood when we enters 
ed!” Paul exclaimed, breathing more freely. “I like those 
voices settling more under our lee, too. We will keep this 
tack” (the boat’s head was to the northward) “ until we hit the 
reef, unless warned off again by the cries.” 

The boat now moved at the rate of five miles in the hour, or 
faster than a man walks, even when in quick motion. Its ris- 
ing and falling denoted the long heavy swell of the ocean, and 
the wash of water began to be more and more audible, as she 
settled into the sluggish swells. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


883 


“ That sounds like the surf on the reef,” continued Paul ; 
“ every thing denotes the outside of the rocks.” 

“ God send it prove so !” 

“ That is clearly a sea breaking on a rock ! It is awkwardly 
near, and to leeward, and yet it is sweet to the ear as music.” 

The boat stood steadily on, making narrow escapes from 
jutting rocks, as was evinced by the sounds, and once or twice 
by the sight even ; but the cries shifted gradually, and were 
soon quite astern. Paul knew that the reef trended east soon 
after passing the inlet, and he felt the hope that they were fast 
leaving its western extremity, or the part that ran the farthest 
into the ocean; after effecting which, there would be more 
water to leeward, his own course being nearly north, as he sup- 
posed. 

The cries drew still farther aft, and more distant,* and the 
sullen wash of the surf was no longer so near as to seem fresh 
and tangible. 

“ Hand me the lead and line, that lie at the foot of the mast, 
if you please,” said Paul. “ Our water seems sensibly to deepen, 
and the seas have become more regular.” 

He hove a cast, and found six fathoms of water ; a proof, he 
thought, that they were quite clear of the reef. 

Now, dear Mr. Effingham, Miss Effingham, mademoiselle,” 
he cried cheerfully, “ now I believe we may indeed deem our- 
selves beyond the reach of the Arabs, unless a gale force us 
again on their inhospitable shores.” 

“ Is it permitted to speak ?” asked Mr. Effingham, who had 
maintained a steady but almost breathless silence. 

“ Freely : we are quite beyond the reach of the voice ; and 
this wind, though blowing from a quarter I do not like, is carry- 
ing us away from the wretches rapidly.” 

It was not safe in the darkness, and under the occasional 
heaves of the boat, for the others to come on the roof; but they 
opened the shutters, and looked out upon the gloomy water 
with a sense of security they could not have deemed possible 


384 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


for people in their situation. The worst was over for the 
moment, and there is a relief in present escape that temporarily 
conceals future dangers. They could converse without the 
fear of alarming their enemies, and Paul spoke encouragingly 
of their prospects. It was his intention to stand to the north’ 
ward until he reached the wreck, when, failing to get any 
tidings of their friends, they might make the best of their way 
to the nearest island to leeward. 

With this cheering news the party below again disposed 
themselves to sleep, while the two young men maintained their 
posts on the roof. 

“We must resemble an ark,” said Paul laughing, as he seated 
himself on a box near the stem of the boat, “ and I should think 
would frighten the Arabs from an attack, had they even the 
opportunity to make one. This house we carry will prove a 
troublesome companion, should we encounter a heavy and a 
head sea.” 

“You say it may easily be gotten rid of.” 

“ Nothing would be easier, the whole apparatus being made 
to ship and unship. Before the wind we might carry it a long 
time, and it would even help us along ; but on a wind it makes 
us a little top-heavy, besides giving us a leeward set. In the 
event of rain, or of bad weather of any sort, it would be a trea- 
sure to us all, more especially to the females, and I think we 
had better keep it as long as possible.” 

The half hour of breeze already mentioned sufficed to carry 
the boat some distance to the northward, when it failed, and 
the puffs from the land returned. Paul supposed they were 
quite two miles from the inlet, and, trying the lead, he found 
ten fathoms of water, a proof that they had also gradually re- 
ceded from the shore. Still nothing but a dense darkness sur- 
rounded them, though there could no longer be the smallest 
doubt of their being in the open ocean. 

For near an hour the light baffiing air came in puffs, as be- 
fore, during which time the launch’s head was kept, as near as 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


385 


the two gentlemen could judge, to the northward, making but 
little progress ; and then the breeze drew gradually round into 
one quarter, and commenced blowing with a steadiness that 
they had not experienced before that night. Paul suspected 
this change, though he had no certain means of knowing it ; 
for as soon as the wind baffled, his course had got to be con- 
jectural again. As the breeze freshened, the speed of the boat 
necessarily augmented, though she was kept always on a wind ; 
and after half an hour’s progress, the gentlemen became once 
more uneasy as to the direction. 

“ It would be a cruel and awkward fate to hit the reef again,” 
said Paul ; “ and yet I cannot be sure that we are not running 
directly for it.” 

“ We have compasses ; let us strike a light and look into the 
matter.” 

“ It were better had we done this more early, for a light 
might now prove dangerous, should we really have altered the 
course in this intense darkness. There is no remedy, however, 
and the risk must be taken. I will first try the lead again.” 

A cast was made, and the result was two and a half fathoms 
of water. 

“ Put the helm down !” cried Paul, springing to the sheet : 
“ lose not a moment, but down with the helm !” 

The boat did not work freely under her imperfect sail and 
with the roof she carried, and a moment of painful anxiety suc- 
ceeded. Paul managed, however, to get a part of the sail aback, 
and he felt more secure. 

“ The boat has stern-way : shift the helm, Mr. Sharp.” 

This was done, the yard was dipped, and the two young men 
felt a relief almost equal to that they had experienced on clear- 
ing the inlet, when they found the launch again drawing ahead, 
obedient to her rudder. 

“We are near something, reef or shore,” said Paul, standing 
with the lead-line in his hand, in readiness to heave. “ I think 
it can hardly be the first, as we hear no Arabs.” 

17 


386 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Waiting a few minutes, he hove the lead, and, to his infinite 
joy, got three fathoms fairly. 

“ That is good news. We are hauling off the danger, what- 
ever it may be,” he said, as he felt the mark : “ and now for 
the compass.” 

Saunders was called, a light was struck, and the compasses 
were both examined. These faithful but mysterious guides, 
which have so long served man while they have baffled all his 
ingenuity to discover the sources of their power, were, as usual, 
true to their governing principle. The boat was heading north- 
northwest ; the wind was at northeast, and before they tacked 
they had doubtless been standing directly for the beach, from 
which they could not have been distant a half quarter of a mile, 
if so much. A few more minutes would have carried them in- 
to the breakers, capsized the boat, and most probably drowned 
all below the roof, if not those on it. 

Paul shuddered as these facts forced themselves on his at- 
tention, and he determined to stand on his present course for 
two hours, when daylight would render his return towards the 
land without danger. 

“ This is the trade,” he said, “ and it will probably stand. 
We have a current to contend with, as well as a head-wind ; 
but I think we can weather the cape by morning, when we can 
get a survey of the wreck by means of the glass. If we dis- 
cover nothing, I shall bear up at once for the Cape de Yerds.” 

The two gentlemen now took the helm in turns, he who 
slept fastening himself to the mast, as a precaution against being 
rolled into the sea by the motion of the boat. In fifteen fathoms 
water they tacked again, and stood to the east-southeast, hav- 
ing made certain, by a fresh examination of the compass, that 
the wind stood in the same quarter as before. The moon rose 
soon after, and, although the morning was clouded and lower- 
ing, there was then suflflcient light to remove all danger from 
the darkness. At length this long and anxious night termina- 
ted in the usual streak of day, which gleamed across the desert. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


387 


Paul was at the helm, steering more by instinct than any 
thing else, and occasionally nodding at his post ; for two suc- 
cessive nights of watching and a day of severe toil had over- 
come his sense of danger, and his care for others. Strange 
fancies beset men at such moments ; and his busy imagination 
was running over some of the scenes of his early youth, when 
either his sense or his wandering faculties made him hear the 
usual brief, spirited hail of — 

“ Boat ahoy !” 

Paul opened his eyes, felt that the tiller was in his hand, and 
was about to close the first again, when the words were more 
sternly repeated : 

“ Boat ahoy ! — what craft’s that ? Answer, or expect a shot !” 

This was plain English, and Paul was wide awake in an in- 
stant. Rubbing his eyes, he saw a line of boats anchored directly 
on his weather bow, with a raft of spars riding astern. 

“ Hurrah !” shouted the young man. “ This is Heaven’s own 
tidings ! Are these the Montauk’s ?” 

“ Ay, ay. Who the devil are you ?” 

The truth is. Captain Truck did not recognize his own launch 
in the royal, roof, and jigger. He had never before seen a boat 
afloat in such a guise ; and in the obscurity of the hour, and 
fresh awakened from a profound sleep, like Paul, his faculties 
were a little confused. But the latter soon comprehended the 
whole matter. He clapped his helm down, let fly the sheet, and 
in a minute the launch of the packet was riding alongside of 
the launch of the Dane. Heads were out of the shutters, and 
every boat gave up its sleepers, for the cry was general through- 
out the little flotilla. 

The party just arrived alone felt joy. They found those 
whom they had believed dead, or captives, alive and free ; 
whereas the others now learned the extent of the misfortune 
that had befallen them. For a few minutes this contrast in 
feeling produced an awkward meeting; but the truth soon 
brought all down to the same sober level. Captain Truck re- 


388 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ceived the congratulations of his friends like one in a stupor ; 
Toast looked amazed as his friend Saunders shook his hand; and 
the gentlemen who had been to the wreck met the cheerful 
greetings of those who had just escaped the Arabs like men 
who fancied the others mad. 

We pass over the explanations that followed, as every one 
will readily understand them. Captain Truck listened to Paul 
like one in a trance, and it was some time after the young man 
had done before he spoke. With a wish to cheer him, he was 
told of the ample provision of stores that had been brought off 
in the launch, of the trade-winds that had now apparently set 
in, and of the great probability of their all reaching the islands 
in safety. Still the old man made no reply ; he got on the roof 
of his own launch, and paced backwards and forwards rapidly, 
heeding nothing. Even Eve spoke to him unnoticed, and the 
consolations offered by her father were not attended to. At 
length he stopped suddenly, and called for his mate. 

“ Mr. Leach !” 

“Sir.” 

“ Here is a category for you 1” 

“ Ay, ay, sir ; it’s bad enough in its way ; still we are better 
off than the Danes.” 

“You tell me, sir,” turning to Paul, “that these foul black- 
guards were actually on the deck of the ship ?” 

“ Certainly, Captain Truck. They took complete possession ; 
for we had no means of keeping them off.” 

“ And the ship is ashore ?” 

“ Beyond a question.” 

“Bilged?” 

“I think not. There is no swell within the reef, and she 
lies on sand.” 

“We might have spared ourselves the trouble, Leach, of culling 
these cursed spars, as if they had been so many toothpicks.” 

“ That we might, sir ; for they will not now serve as oven- 
wood, for want of the oven.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


389 


“ A damnable category, Mr. Effingham ! I’m glad you are 
safe, sir ; and you, too, my dear young lady — God bless you ! — 
God bless you ! It were better the whole line should be in their 
power than one like you !” 

The old seaman’s eyes filled as he shook Eve by the hand, and 
for a moment he forgot the ship. 

“ Mr. Leach !” 

“ Sir.” 

“ Let the people have their breakfasts, and bear a hand about 
it. We are likely to have a busy morning, sir. Lift the kedge, 
too, and let us drift down towards these gentry, and take a look 
at them. We have both wind and current with us now, and 
shall make quick work of it.” 

The kedge was raised, the sails were all set, and, with the 
two launches lashed together, the whole line of boats and spars 
began to set to the southward at a rate that would bring them 
up with the inlet in about two hours. 

“This is the course for the Cape de Verds, gentlemen,” said 
the captain bitterly. “We shall have to pass before our own 
door to go and ask hospitality of strangers. But let the peo- 
ple get their breakfasts, Mr. Leach ; just let the boys have one 
comfortable meal before they take to their oars.” 

Eat himself, however, Mr. Truck would not. He chewed the 
end of a cigar, and continued walking up and down the roof. 

In half an hour the people had ended their meal, the day had 
fairly opened, and the boats and raft had made good progress. 

“ Splice the main-brace, Mr. Leach,” said the captain, “ for 
we are a little jammed. And you, gentlemen, do me the favor 
to step this way for a consultation. This much is due to your 
situation.” 

Captain Truck assembled his male passengers in the stern of 
the Dane’s launch, where he commenced the following address : 

“ Gentlemen,” he said, “ every thing in this world has its 
nature and its principles. This truth I hold you all to be too 
well informed and well educated to deny. The nature of a 


390 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


traveller is to travel, and see curiosities ; the nature of old men 
is to think on the past, of a young man to hope for the future. 
The nature of a seaman is to stick by his ship, and of a ship 
to be treated like a vessel, and not to be ransacked like a town 
taken by storm, or a nunnery that is rifled. You are but pas- 
sengers, and doubtless have your own wishes and occupations, 
as I have mine. Your wishes are, beyond question, to be safe 
in New York among your friends ; and mine are to get the 
Montauk there too, in as little time and with as little injury as 
possible. You have a good navigator among you ; and I now 
propose that you take the Montauk’s launch, with such stores 
as are necessary, and All away at once for the islands, where, I 
pray God, you may all arrive in safety, and that when you reach 
America you may And all your relations in good health, and in 
no manner uneasy at this little delay. Your effects shall be 
safely delivered to your respective orders, should it please God 
to put it in the power of the line to honor your drafts.” 

“ You intend to attempt recapturing the ship !” exclaimed 
Paul. 

“ I do, sir,” returned Mr. Truck, who, having thus far opened 
his mind, for the flrst time that morning gave a vigorous hem ! 
and set about lighting a cigar. “We may do it, gentlemen, or 
we may not do it. If we do it, you will hear farther from me ; 
if we fail, why, tell them at home that we carried sail as long 
as a stitch would draw.” 

The gentlemen looked at each other, the young waiting in 
respect for the counsel of the old, the old hesitating in deference 
to the pride and feelings of the young. 

“We must join you in this enterprise, captain,” said Mr. 
Sharp quietly, but with the manner of a man of spirit and nerve. 

“ Certainly, certainly,” cried Mr. Monday ; “ we ought to 
make a common affair of it ; as I dare say Sir George Tem- 
plemore will agree with me in maintaining : the nobility and 
gentry are not often backward when their persons are to be 
risked.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


391 


The spurious baronet acquiesced in the proposal as readily as 
it had been made by him whom he had temporarily deposed ; 
for, though a weak and a vain young man, he was far from be- 
ing a dastard. 

“ This is a serious business,” observed Paul, “ and it ought to 
be ordered with method and intelligence. If we have a ship 
to care for, we have those also who are infinitely more pre- 
cious.” 

“Very true, Mr. Blunt, very true,” interrupted Mr. Dodge, a 
little eagerly. “ It is my maxim to let well alone ; and I am 
certain shipwrecked people can hardly be better off and more 
comfortable than we are at this very moment. I dare say 
these gallant sailors, if the question was fairly put to them, 
would give it by a handsome majority in favor of things as 
they are. I am a conservative, captain, and I think an appeal 
ought to be made to the ballot-boxes before we decide on a 
measure of so much magnitude.” 

The occasion was too grave for the ordinary pleasantry, and 
this singular proposition was heard in silence, to Mr. Dodge’s 
great disgust. 

“ I think it the duty of Captain Truck to endeavor to retake 
his vessel,” continued Paul ; “ but the affair will be serious, 
and success is far from certain. The Montauk’s launch ought 
to be left at a safe distance with all the females, and in prudent 
keeping ; for any disaster to the boarding party would proba- 
bly throw the rest of the boats into the hands of the barbarians, 
and endanger the safety of those left in the launch. Mr. Effing- 
ham and Mr. John Effingham will of course remain with the 
ladies.” 

The father assented with the simplicity of one who did not 
distrust his own motives, but the eagle-shaped features of his 
kinsman curled with a cool and sarcastic smile. 

“ Will you remain in the launch ?” the latter asked pointedly, 
turning towards Paul. 

“ Certainly it would be greatly out of character were I to 


392 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


think of it. My trade is war, and I trust that Captain Truck 
means to honor me with the command of one of the boats.” 

“ I thought as much, by Jove !” exclaimed the captain, seiz- 
ing a hand, which he shook with the utmost cordiality. “ I 
should as soon expect to see the sheet-anchor wink, or the best 
bower give a mournful smile, as to see you duck ! Still, gen- 
tlemen, I am well aware of the difference in our situations. I 
ask no man to forget his duties to those on shore on my ac- 
count, and I fancy that my regular people, aided by Mr. Blunt, 
who can really serve me by his knowledge, will be as likely to 
do all that can be done as all of us united. It is not numbers 
that carry ships, as much as spirit, promptitude, and resolu- 
tion.” 

“ But the question has not yet been put to the people,” said 
Mr. Dodge, who was a little mystified by the word last used, 
which he had yet to learn was strictly technical as applied to a 
vessel’s crew. 

“ It shall, sir,” returned Captain Truck, “ and I beg you to 
note the majority. My lads,” he continued, rising on a thwart, 
and speaking aloud, “you know the history of the ship. As 
to the Arabs, now they have got her they do not know how to 
sail her, and it is no more than a kindness to take her out of 
their hands. For this business I want volunteers — those who 
are for the reef and an attack, will rise up and cheer ; while 
they who like an offing have only to sit still and stay where 
they are.” 

The words were no sooner spoken than Mr. Leach jumped 
up on the gunwale and waved his hat. The people rose as one 
man, and taking the signal from the mate, they gave three as 
hearty cheers as ever rung over the bottle. 

“ Dead against you, sir !” observed the captain, nodding to 
the editor, “ and I hope you are now satisfied.” 

“ The ballot might have given it the other way,” muttered 
Mr. Dodge ; “ there can be no freedom of election without the 
ballot.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


398 


No one, however, thought any longer of Mr. Dodge or his 
scruples, but the whole disposition for the attack was made 
with promptitude and caution. It was decided that Mr. Effing- 
ham and his own servant should remain in the launch, while 
the captain compelled his two mates to draw lots which of 
them should stay behind also, a navigator being indispensable. 
The chance fell on the second mate, who submitted to his luck 
with an ill grace. 

A bust of Napoleon was cut up, and the pieces of lead were 
beaten as nearly round as possible, so as to form a dozen leaden 
balls and a quantity of slugs, or langrage. The latter were put 
in Canvas bags, while the keg of powder was opened, a flannel 
shirt or two were torn, and cartridges were filled. Ammunition 
was also distributed to the people, and Mr. Sharp examined 
their arms. The gun was got off the roof of the Montauk’s 
launch, and placed on a grating forward in that of the Dane. 
The sails and rigging were cleared out of the boat and secured 
on the raft, when she was properly manned and the command 
of her was given to Paul. 

The three other boats received their crews, with John Effing- 
ham at the head of one, the captain and his mate commanding 
the others. Mr. Dodge felt compelled to volunteer to go in 
the launch of the Dane, where Paul had now taken his station, 
though he did it with a reluctance that escaped the observation 
of no one who took the pains to observe him. Mr. Sharp and 
Mr. Monday were with the captain, and the false Sir George 
Templemore went with Mr. Leach. These arrangements com- 
pleted, the whole party waited impatiently for the wind and 
current to set them down towards the reef, the rocks of which 
by this time were plainly visible, even from the thwarts of the 
several boats. 


17 * 


894 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


'CHAPTER XXVI. 

“ Hark ! was it not the trumpet’s voice I heard ? 

The soul of battle is awako within me. 

The fate of ages and of empires hangs 
On this dread hour.” 

Massingee. 

The two launclies were still sailing side by side, and Eve 
now appeared at the open window next the seat of Paul. Her 
face was pale as when the scene of the cabin occurred, and her 
lip trembled. 

“ I do not understand these warlike proceedings,” she said, 
“ but I trust, Mr. Blunt, we have no concern with the present 
movement.” 

“ Put your mind at ease on this head, dearest Miss Effing- 
ham, for what we now do we do in compliance with a general 
law of manhood. Were your interests and the interests of 
those with you alone consulted, we might come to a very dif- 
ferent decision ; but I think you are in safe hands, should our 
adventure prove unfortunate.” 

“ Unfortunate ! It is fearful to be so near a scene like this ! 
I cannot ask you to do any thing unworthy of yourself; but, 
all that we owe you impels me to say, I trust you have too 
much wisdom, too much true courage, to incur unnecessary 
risks.” 

The young man looked volumes of gratitude, but the pres- 
ence of the others kept its expression within due bounds. 

“We old sea-dogs,” he answered, smiling, “are rather noted 
for taking care of ourselves. They who are trained to a busi- 
ness like this usually set about it too much in a business-like 
manner to hazard any thing for mere show.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


395 


“ And very wisely ; Mr. Sharp, too” — Eve’s color deepened 
with a consciousness that Paul would have given worlds to un- 
derstand — “ he has a claim on us we shall never forget. My 
father can say all this better than I.” 

Mr. EflSngham now expressed his thanks for all that had 
passed, and earnestly enjoined prudence on- the young men ; 
after which Eve withdrew her head, and was seen no more. 
Most of the next hour was passed in prayer by those in the 
launch. 

By this time the boats and raft were within half a mile of 
the inlet, and Captain Truck ordered the kedge, which had 
been transferred to the launch of the Montauk, to be let go. 
As soon as this was done, the old seaman threw down his hat, 
and stood on a thwart in his grey hair. 

“ Gentlemen, you have your orders,” he said, with dignity ; 
for from that moment his manner rose with the occasion, and 
had something of the grandeur of the warrior. “You see 
the enemy. The reef must first be cleared, and then the ship 
shall be carried. God knows who will live to see the end ; 
but that end must be success, or the bones of John Truck shall 
bleach on these sands ! Our cry is, ‘ The Montauk and our 
own!’ which is a principle Vattel will sustain us in. Give 
way, men ! a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together ; 
each boat in its station 1” 

He waved his hand, and the oars fell into the water at the 
same instant. The heavy launch was the last, for she had 
double-fasts to the other boat. While loosening that forward 
the second mate deserted his post, stepping nimbly on board 
the departing boat, and concealing himself behind the foremost 
of the two lug-sails she carried. Almost at the same instant 
Mr. Dodge reversed this manoeuvre by pretending to be left 
clinging to the boat of the Montauk, in his zeal to shove off. 
As the sails were drawing hard, and the oars dashed the spray 
aside, it was too late to rectify either of these mistakes, had it 
been desirable. 


396 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


A few minutes of stern calm succeeded, each boat keeping 
its place with beautiful precision. The. Arabs had left the 
northern reef with the light ; but, the tide being out, hundreds 
were strung along the southern range of roqks, especially near 
the ship. The wind carried the launch ahead, as had been in- 
tended, and she so’on drew near the inlet. 

“ Take in the sails,” said Mr. Blunt. “ See your gun clear 
forward.” 

A fine, tall, straight, athletic young seaman stood near the 
grating, with a heated iron lying in a vessel of live coals before 
him, in lieu of a loggerhead, the fire being covered with a tar- 
paulin. As Paul spoke, this young mariner turned towards 
him with the peculiar grace of a man-of-war’s-man, and touched 
his hat, 

“ Ay, ay, sir. All ready, Mr. Powis.” 

Paul started, while the other smiled proudly, like one who 
knew more than his companions. 

“We have met before,” said the first. 

“That have we, sir, and in boat-duty, too. You were the 
first on board the pirate on the coast of Cuba, and I was 
second.” 

A look of recognition and a wave of the hand passed be- 
tween them, the men cheering involuntarily. It was too late 
for more, the launch being fairly in the inlet, where she re- 
ceived a general but harmless fire from the Arabs. An order 
had been given to fire the first shot over the heads of the bar- 
barians ; but this assault changed the plan. 

“ Depress the piece. Brooks,” said Paul, “ and throw in a bag 
of slugs.” 

“ All ready, sir,” was uttered in another minute. 

“ Hold water, men — the boat is steady — let them have it.” 

Men fell at that discharge ; but how many was never known, 
as the bodies were hurried off the reef by those who fled. A 
few concealed themselves along the rocks, but most scampered 
towards the shore. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


397 


“ Bravely done !” cried Captain Truck, as his boat swept past. 
“ Now for the ship, sir !” 

The people cheered again, and dashed their oars into the 
water. To clear the reef was nothing ; but to carry the ship 
was a serious affair. She was defended by four times the num- 
ber of those in the boats, and there was no retreat. The Arabs, 
as has already been seen, had suspended their labor during the 
night, having fruitlessly endeavored to haul the vessel over to 
the reef before the tide rose. More by accident than by calcu- 
lation, they had made such arrangements, by getting a line to 
the rocks, as would probably have set the ship off the sands, 
when she floated at high water ; but this line had been cut by 
Paul in passing, and the wind coming on shore again, during 
the confusion and clamor of the barbarians, or at a moment 
when they thought they were to be attacked, no attention was 
paid to the circumstance, and the Montauk was suffered to 
drive up still higher on the sands, where she effectually 
grounded at the very top of the tide. As it was now dead 
low water, the ship had sewed materially, and was now lying 
on her bilge, partly sustained by the water, and partly by the 
bottom. 

During the short pause that succeeded, Saunders, who was 
seated in the captain’s boat as a small-arms-man, addressed his 
subordinate in a low voice. 

“ Now, Toast,” he said, “ you are about to contend in battle 
for the flrst time ; and I diwine, from experience, that the ewent 
gives you some sentiments that are werry original. My adwice 
to you is, to shut both eyes until the word is given to fire, and 
then to open them suddenly, as if just awaking from sleep ; 
after which you may present and pull the trigger. Above all. 
Toast, take care not to kill any of our own friends, most espe- 
cially not Captain Truck, just at this werry moment.” 

“I shall do my endeavors, Mr. Saunders,” muttered Toast, 
with the apathy and submissive dependence on others with 
which the American black usually goes into action. “ If I -do 


398 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


any harm, I hope it will be overlooked, on account of my want 
of experience.” 

“ Imitate me. Toast, in coolness and propriety, and you’ll be 
certain not to offend. I do not mean that you are to kill the 
werry same Muscle-m&a. that I kill, but that when I kill one 
you are to kill another. And be werry careful not to hurt 
Captain Truck, who’ll be certain to run right afore the muzzle 
of our guns, if he sees any thing to be done there.” 

Toast growled an assent, and then there was no other noise 
in the boat than that which was produced by the steady and 
vigorous falling of the oars. An attempt had been made to 
lighten the vessel by unloading her, and the hank of sand was 
already covered with bales and boxes, which had been brought 
up from the hold by means of a stage, and by sheer animal 
force. The raft had been extended in size, and brought 
round to the bank by the stern of the vessel, with the inten- 
tion to load it, and to transfer the articles already landed to 
the rocks. 

Such was the state of things about the Montauk when the 
boats came into the channel that ran directly up to the bank. 
The launch led again, her sails having been set as soon as the 
reef was swept, and she now made another discharge on the 
deck of the ship, which, inclining towards the gun, offered no 
shelter. The effect was to bring every Arab, in the twinkling 
of an eye,- down upon the bank. 

“ Hurrah !” shouted Captain Truck ; “ that grist has purified 
the old bark ! And now to see who is to own her ! ‘ The 

thieves are out of the temple,’ as my good father would have 
said.” 

The four boats were in a line abreast, the launch under one 
sail only. A good deal of confusion existed on the bank ; but 
the Arabs sought the cover of the bales and boxes, and opened 
a sharp though irregular fire. Three times, as they advanced, 
the second mate and that gallant-looking young seaman called 
Brooks discharged the gun, and at each discharge the Arabs 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


399 


were dislodged and driven to the raft. The cheers of the sea- 
men became animated, though they still plied the oars. 

“ Steadily, men,” said Captain Truck, “ and prepare to board.” 

At this moment the launch grounded, though still twenty 
yards from the bank, the other boats passing her with loud 
cheers. 

“We are all ready, sir,” cried Brooks. 

“ Let ’em have it. Take in the sail, boys.” 

The gun was fired, and the tall young seaman sprang upon 
the grating and cheered. As he looked backward, with a smile 
of triumph, Paul saw his eyes roll. He leaped into the air, and 
fell at his length dead upon the water ; for such is the passage 
of a man in battle, from one state of existence to another. 

“ Where do we hang ?” asked Paul, steadily ; “ forward 
or aft ?” 

It was forward, and deeper water lay ahead of them. The 
sail was set again, and the people were called aft. The boat 
tipped, and shot ahead towards the sands, like a courser re- 
leased from a sudden pull. 

All this time the others were not idle. Not a musket was 
fired from either boat until the whole three struck the bank, 
almost at the same instant, though at as many different points. 
Then all leaped ashore, and threw in a fire so close, that the 
boxes served as much for a cover to the assailants as to the 
assailed. It was at this critical moment, when the seamen 
paused to load, that Paul, just clear of the bottom, with his 
own hand applying the loggerhead, swept the rear of the 
bank with a most opportune discharge. 

“Yard-arm and yard-arm!” shouted Captain Truck. “Lay 
’em aboard, boys, and give ’em Jack’s play!” 

The whole party sprang forward, and from that moment all 
order ceased. Fists, handspikes, of which many were on the 
bank, and the butts of muskets, were freely used, and in a way 
that set the spears and weapons of the Arabs at defiance. The 
captain, Mr. Sharp, John Efiingham, Mr. Monday, the soi-disant 


400 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Sir George Templemore, and the chief mate, formed a sort of 
Macedonian phalanx, which penetrated the centre of the barba- 
rians, and which kept close to the enemy, following up its ad- 
vantages with a spirit that admitted of no rallying. On their 
right and left pressed the men, an athletic, hearty, well-fed gang. 
The superiority of the Arabs was in their powers of endurance ; 
for, trained to the whip-cord rigidity of racers, force was less 
their peculiar merit than bottom. Had they acted in concert, 
however, or had they been on their own desert, mounted, and' 
with room for their subtle evolutions, the result might have 
been very different; but, unused to contend with an enemy 
who brought them within reach of the arm, their tactics were 
deranged, and all their habits violated. Still, their numbers 
were formidable, and it is probable that the accident to the 
launch, after all, decided the matter. From the moment the 
mUee began not a shot was fired, but the assailants pressed upon 
the assailed, until a large body of the latter had collected near 
the raft. This was just as the launch reached the shore, and 
Paul perceived there was great danger that the tide might roll 
backward from sheer necessity. The gun was loaded, and 
filled nearly to the muzzle with slugs. . He caused the men to 
raise it on their oars, and to carry it to a large box, a little 
apart from the confusion of the fight. All this was done in a 
moment, for three minutes had not yet passed since the captain 
landed. 

Instead of firing, Paul called aloud to his friends to cease 
fighting. Though chafing like a vexed lion. Captain Truck 
complied, surprise effecting quite as much as obedience. The 
Arabs hardest pressed upon, profited by the pause to fall back 
on the main body of their friends, near the raft. This was all 
Paul could ask, and he ordered the gun to be pointed at the 
centre of the group, while he advanced himself towards the ene- 
my making a sign of peace. 

“ Damn ’em, lay ’em aboard !” cried the captain : “ no quarter 
to the blackguards !” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


401 


“I rather think we had better charge again,” added Mr. 
Sharp, who was thoroughly warmed with his late employment. 

“ Hold, gentlemen ; you risk all needlessly. I will show 
these poor wretches what they have to expect, and they will 
probably retire. We want the ship, not their blood.” 

“Well, well,” returned the impatient captain, “give ’em 
plenty of Vattel, for we have ’em now in a category.” 

The men of the wilderness and of the desert seem to act as 
much by instinct as by reason. An old sheik advanced, smil- 
ing, towards Paul, when the latter was a few yards in advance 
of his friends, offering his hand with as much cordiality as if 
they met merely to exchange courtesies. Paul led him qui- 
etly to the gun, put his hand in, and drew out a bag of slugs, 
replaced it, and pointed significantly at the dense crowd of ex- 
posed Arabs, and at the heated iron that was ready to dis- 
charge the piece. At all this the old Arab smiled, and seemed 
to express his admiration. He was then showed the strong 
and well-armed party, all of whom by this time had a musket 
or a pistol ready to use. Paul then signed to the raft and to 
the reef, as much as to tell the other to withdraw his party. 

The sheik exhibited great coolness and sagacity, and, unused 
to frays so desperate, he signified his disposition to comply. 
Truces, Paul knew, were common in the African combats, 
which are seldom bloody, and he hoped the best from the man- 
ner of the sheik, who was now permitted to return to his 
friends. A short conference succeeded among the Arabs, 
when several of them smilingly waved their hands, and most of 
the party crowded on the raft. Others advanced and asked 
permission to bear away their wounded, and the bodies of the 
dead, in both of which oflSces they were assisted by the seamen, 
as far as was prudent ; for it was all-important to be on the 
guard against treachery. 

In this extraordinary manner the combatants separated, the 
Arabs hauling themselves over to the reef by a line, their old 
men smiling, and making signs of amity, until they were fairly 


402 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


on the rocks. Here they remained but a very few minutes, 
for the camels and dromedaries were seen trotting off towards 
the Dane on the shore ; a sign that the compact between the 
different parties of the barbarians was dissolved, and that each 
man was about to plunder on his own account. This move- 
ment produced great agitation among the old sheiks and their 
followers on the reef, and set them in motion with great ac- 
tivity towards the land. So great was their hurry, indeed, 
that the bodies of all the dead, and of several of the wounded, 
were fairly abandoned on the rocks, at some distance from the 
shore. 

The first step of the victors, as a matter of course, was to in- 
quire into their own loss. This was much less than would have 
otherwise been, on account of their good conduct. Every man, 
without a solitary exception, had ostensibly behaved well ; one 
of the most infallible means of lessening danger. Several of the 
party had received slight hurts, and divers bullets had passed 
through hats and jackets. Mr. Sharp, alone, had two through 
the former, besides one through his coat. Paul had blood 
drawn on an arm, and Captain Truck, to use his own language, 
resembled “ a horse in fiy-time,” his skin having been rased in 
no less than five places. But all these trifling hurts and hair- 
breadth escapes counted for nothing, as no one was seriously 
injured by them, or felt suflScient inconvenience even to report 
himself wounded. 

The felicitations were warm and general ; even the seamen 
asking leave to shake their sturdy old commander by the 
hand. Paul and Mr. Sharp fairly embraced, each expressing 
his sincere pleasure that the other had escaped unharmed. 
The latter even shook hands cordially with his counterfeit, who 
had acted with spirit from the first to the last. John Effing- 
ham alone maintained the same cool indifference after the 
affair that he had shown in it, when it was seen that he had 
played his part with singular coolness and discretion, dropping 
two Arabs with his fowling-piece on landing, with a sort of 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


403 


sportsman-like coolness with which he was in the habit of drop- 
ping woodcock at home. 

“ I fear Mr. Monday is seriously hurt,” this gentleman said 
to the captain, in the midst of his congratulations : “ he sits 
aloof on the box yonder, and looks exhausted.” 

“ Mr. Monday ! I hope not, with all my heart and soul. He 
is a capital diplomate^ and a stout boarder. And Mr. Dodge, 
too ! I miss Mr. Dodge.” 

“Mr. Dodge must have remained behind to console the 
ladies,” returned Paul, “finding that your second mate had 
abandoned them, like a recrean{ that he is.” 

The captain shook his disobedient mate by the hand a second 
time, and swore he was a mutineer for violating his orders, and 
ended by declaring that the day was not distant when he and 
Mr. Leach should command two as good liners as ever sailed 
out of America. 

“ I’ll have nothing to do with either of you as soon as we 
reach home,” he concluded. “ There was Leach a foot or two 
ahead of me the whole time ; and, as for the second ofiicer, I 
should be justified in logging him as having run. Well, well; 
young men will be young men ; and so would old men too, 
Mr. John Effingham, if they knew how. But Mr. Monday 
does look doleful ; and I am afraid we shall be obliged to over- 
haul the medicine-chest for him.” 

Mr. Monday, however, was beyond the aid of medicine. A 
ball had passed through his shoulder-blade in landing; not- 
withstanding which he had pressed into the where, un- 

able to parry it, a spear had been thrust into his chest. The 
last wound appeared grave, and Captain Truck immediately 
ordered the sufferer to be carried into the ship ; John Effing- 
ham, with a tenderness and humanity that were singularly in 
contrast with his ordinary sarcastic manner, volunteering to 
take charge of him. 

“ We have need of all our forces,” said Captain Truck, as Mr. 
Monday was borne away ; “ and yet it is due to our friends in 


404 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the launch to let them know the result. Set the ensign, Leach ; 
that will tell them our success, though a verbal communication 
can alone acquaint them with the particulars.” 

“If,” interrupted Paul, eagerly, “you will lend me the 
launch of the Dane, Mr. Sharp and myself will beat her up to 
the raft, let our friends know the result, and bring the spars 
down to the inlet. This will save the necessity of any of the 
men’s being absent. We claim the privilege, too, as belonging 
properly to the party that is now absent.” 

“ Gentlemen, take any privilege you please. You have stood 
by me like heroes ; and I owe you all more than the heel of a 
worthless old life will ever permit me to pay.” 

The two young men did not wait for a second invitation, but 
in five minutes the boat was stretching through one of the 
channels that led landward ; and in five more it was laying out 
of the inlet with a steady breeze. 

The instant Captain Truck retrod the deck of his ship was 
one of uncontrollable feeling with the weather-beaten old sea- 
man. The ship had sewed too much to admit of walking with 
ease, and he sat down on the coamings of the main hatch, and 
fairly wept like an infant. So high had his feelings been 
wrought that this outbreaking was violent, and the men wonder- 
ed to see their gray-headed, stern, old commander, so com- 
pletely unmanned. He seemed at length ashamed of the 
weakness himself, for, rising like a worried tiger, he began to 
issue his orders as sternly and promptly as was his wont. 

“ What the devil are you gaping at, men !” he growled ; 
“ did you never see a ship on her bilge before ? God knows, 
and for that matter you all know, there is enough to do, that 
you stand like so many marines, with their ‘ eyes right !’ and 
‘ pipe-clay.’ ” 

“ Take it more kindly. Captain Truck,” returned an old sea- 
dog, thrusting out a hand that was all knobs, a fellow whose 
tobacco had not been displaced even by the fray ; “ take it 
kindly, and look upon all these boxes and bales as so much 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


405 


cargo that is to be struck in, in dock. We’ll soon stow it, and, 
barring a few slugs, and one four-pounder, that has cut up a 
crate of crockery as if it had been a cat in a cupboard, no great 
harm is done. I look upon this matter as no more than a sud- 
den squall, that has compelled u& to bear up for a little while, 
but which will answer for a winch to spin yarns on all the rest 
of our days. I have fit the French, and the English, and the 
Turks, in my time ; and now I can say I have had a brush with 
the niggers.” 

“ D n me, but you are right, old Tom ! and I’ll make no 

more account of the matter. Mr. Leach, give the people a lit- 
tle encouragement. There is enough left in the jug that you’ll 
find in the stern-sheets of the pinnace ; and then turn-to, and 
strike in all this dunnage, that the Arabs have been scattering 
on the sands. We’ll stow it when we get the ship into an 
easier bed than the one in which she is now lying.” 

This was the signal for commencing work ; and these straight- 
forward tars, who had just been in the confusion and hazards 
of a fight, first took their grog, and then commenced their labor 
in earnest. As they had only, with their knowledge and readi- 
ness, to repair the damage done by the ignorant and hurried 
Arabs, in a short time every thing was on board the ship again, 
when their attention was directed to the situation of the vessel 
itself. Not to anticipate events, however, we will now return 
|to the party in the launch. 

I The reader will readily imagine the feelings with which Mr. 
'Effingham and his party listened to the report of the first gun. 
As they all remained below, they were ignorant who the indi- 
vidual really was that kept pacing the roof over their heads, 
though it was believed to be the second mate, agreeably to the 
arrangement made by Captain Truck. 

“ My eyes grow dim,” said Mr, Efiingham, who was looking 
through a glass ; “ will you try to see what is passing, Eve ?” 

“ Father, I cannot look,” returned the pallid girl. “ It is 
misery enough to hear these frightful guns.” 


406 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“It is awful !” said Nanny, folding her arms about her child, 
“ and I wonder that such gentlemen as Mr. John and Mr. Powis 
should go on an enterprise so wicked !” 

“ Voulez-vous avoir la complaisance^ monsieur?''' said Made- 
moiselle Viefville, taking the glass from the unresisting hand of 
Mr. Effingham. “ Ha I le combat commence en effet ?' 

“ Is it the Arabs who now fire ?” demanded Eve, unable, in 
spite of terror, to repress her interest. 

“ Aow, c'est cet admirable jeune homme^ Monsieur Blunt^ qui 
dhance tous les autres ?'' 

“And now, mademoiselle, that must surely he the barbari- 
ans?” 

tout. Le sauvages fuient. C'est encore du bateau de 
Monsieur Blunt qu'on tire. Quel beau courage ! son bateau est 
toujours des premiers ?’' 

“ That shout is frightful ! Do they close ?” 

“ On crie des deux parts^ je crois. Le vieux capitaine est en 
avant a present^ et Monsieur Blunt s'arrUe 

“ May Heaven avert the danger ! Do you see the gentle- 
men at all, mademoiselle ?” 

“ La fumee est trop epaisse. Ah ! les viola ! On tire encore 
de son bateau? 

“ Eh bien, mademoiselle ?'' said Eve tremulously, after a long 
pause. 

“ C'est deja fini. Les Arabes se retirent et nos amis se scmt 
empares du bdtiment. Cela a ite Vaffaire d'un moment., et que 
le combat a ete glorieux ! Ces jeunes gens sont vraiment dignes 
d'Hre Franpais, et le vieux capitaine, aussi? 

“ Are there no tidings for us, mademoiselle ?” asked Eve, 
after another long pause, during which she had poured out her 
gratitude in trembling, but secret thanksgivings. 

“ Non, pas encore. Ils se felicitent, je crois? 

“ It’s time, I’m sure, ma’am,” said the meek-minded Ann, “to 
send forth the dove, that it may find the olive-branch. War 
and strife are too sinful to be long indulged in.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


407 


“ There is a boat making sail in this direction,” said Mr. 
Effingham, who had left the glass with the governess, in com- 
plaisance to her wish. 

“ Owi, c'est le bateau de Monsieur Blunt. 

“ And who is in it ?” demanded the father, for the meed of 
a world could not have enabled Eve to speak. 

“e/e vois Monsieur Sharp — oui^ dest bien lui^ 

“ Is he alone ?” 

“ Non^ il y en a deux — mais — oui — dest Monsieur Blunt ^ — 
notrejeune heros!''' 

Eve bowed her face, and even while her soul melted in grati- 
tude to God, the feelings of her sex caused the tell-tale blood to 
suffuse her features to the brightness of crimson. 

Mr. EflBngham now took the glass from the spirited French- 
woman, whose admiration of brilliant qualities had overcome 
her fears, and he gave a more detailed and connected account 
of the situation of things near the ship, as they presented them- 
selves to a spectator at that distance. 

Notwithstanding they already knew so much, it was a pain- 
ful and feverish half hour to those in the launch, the time that 
intervened between this dialogue and the moment when the 
boat of the Dane came alongside of their own. Every face was 
at the windows, and the young men were received like deliver- 
ers, in whose safety all felt a deep concern. 

“ But, cousin Jack,” said Eve, across whose speaking counte- 
nance apprehension and joy cast their shadows and gleams like 
April clouds driving athwart a brilliant sky, “ my father has 
not been able to discover his form among those who move 
about on the bank.” 

The gentlemen explained the misfortune of Mr. Monday, and 
related the manner in which John EflSngham had assumed the 
office of nurse. A few delicious minutes passed ; for nothing 
is more grateful than the happiness that first succeeds a vic- 
tory, and the young men proceeded to lift the kedge, assisted 
by the servant of Mr. Effingham. The sails were set ; and in 


408 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


fifteen minutes tlie raft — tlie long-desired and much-coveted 
raft — approached the inlet. 

Paul steered the larger boat, and gave to Mr. Sharp direc- 
tions how to steer the other. The tide was flowing into the 
passage ; and, by keeping his weatherly position, the young 
man carried his long train of spars with so much precision into 
its opening, that, favored by the current, it was drawn through 
without touching a rock, and brought in triumph to the very 
margin of the bank. Here it was secured, the sails and cordage 
were brought ashore, and the whole party landed. 

The last twenty hours seemed like a dream to all the females, 
as they again walked the solid sand in security and hope. They 
had now assembled every material of safety, and all that re- 
mained was to get the ship off the shore, and to rig her ; Mr. 
Leach having already reported that she was as tight as the day 
she left London. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


409 


CHAPTER XXYII. 


“Would I were in an ale-house in London 1 
I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety.” 

Hknet Vth. 

Mademoiselle Viefville, with a decision of intelligence 
that rendered her of great use in moments of need, hastened to 
offer her services to the wounded man, while Eve, attended by 
Ann Sidley, ascended the ship and made her way into the 
cabins, in the best manner the leaning position of the vessel 
allowed. Here they found less confusion than might have been 
expected, the scene being ludicrous, rather than painful, for Mr. 
Monday was in his stateroom excluded from sight. 

In the first place, the soi-dimnt Sir George Templemore was 
counting over his effects, among which he had discovered a 
sad deficiency in coats and pantaloons. The Arabs had respected 
the plunder, by compact, with the intention of making a fair 
distribution on the reef ; but, with a view to throw a sop to the 
more rapacious of their associates, one room had been sacked 
by the permission of the sheiks. This unfortunate room hap- 
pened to be that of Sir George Templemore : and the patent 
razors, the East Indian dressing-case, the divers toys, to say 
nothing of innumerable vestments which the young man had 
left paraded in his room, for the mere pleasure of feasting his 
eyes on them, had disappeared. 

“ Do me the favor. Miss Effingham,” he said, appealing to 
Eve, of whom he stood habitually in awe, from the pure neces- 
sity of addressing her in his distress, or of addressing no one, 
“do me the favor to look into my room, and see the unprin- 

18 


410 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


cipled manner in which I have been treated. Not a comb nor 
a razor left ; not a garment to make myself decent in ! I’m 
sure such conduct is quite a disgrace to the civilization of bar- 
barians even, and I shall make it a point to have the affair duly 
represented to his majesty’s minister the moment I arrive in 
New York. I sincerely hope you have been better treated, 
though I think, after this specimen of their principles, there is 
little hope for any one : I’m sure we ought to be grateful they 
did not strip the ship. I trust we shall all make common cause 
against them the moment we arrive.” 

“We ought, indeed, sir, ” returned Eve, who, while she had 
known from the beginning of his being an impostor, was willing 
to ascribe his fraud to vanity, and who now felt charitable 
towards him on account of the spirit he had shown in the 
combat ; “ though I trust we shall have escaped better. Our 
effects were principally in the baggage-room, and that, I under- 
stand from Captain Truck, has not been touched.” 

“ Indeed you are very fortunate, and I can only wish that 
the same good luck had happened to myself. But then, you 
know, Miss Effingham, that one has need of his little comforts, 
and, as for myself, I confess to rather a weakness in that way.’^ 

“ Monstrous prodigality and wastefulness !” cried Saunders, 
as Eve passed on towards her own cabin, willing to escape any 
more of Sir George’s complaints. Just be so kind. Miss Effing- 
ham, ma’am, to look into this here pantry, once ! Them nig- 
gers, I do believe, have had their fingers in every thing, and it 
will take Toast and me a week to get things decorous and 
orderly again. Some of the shrieks” (for so the steward styled 
the chiefs) “ have been yelling well in this place. I’ll engage, 
as you may see, by the manner in which they have spilt the 
mustard and mangled that cold duck. I’ve a most mortal 
awersion to a man that cuts up poultry against the fibers; and, 
would you think it. Miss Effingham, ma’am, that the last gun 
Mr. Blunt fired, dislocated, or otherwise diwerted, about half a 
dozen of the fowls that happened to be in the way; for I let 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


411 


all the poor wretches out of the coops, that they might make 
their own livings should we never come back. I should think 
that as polite and experienced a gentleman as Mr. Blunt might 
have shot the Arabs instead of my poultry !” 

“ So it is,” thought Eve, as she glanced into the pantry and 
proceeded. “ What is considered happiness to-day, gets to be 
misery to-morrow ; and the rebukes of adversity are forgotten 
the instant prosperity resumes its influence. Either of these 
men, a few hours since, would have been most happy to have 
been in this vessel, as a home, or a covering for their heads, 
and now they quarrel with their good fortune because if is 
wanting in some accustomed superfluity or pampered indul- 
gence.” 

We shall leave her with this wholesome reflection uppermost, 
to examine into the condition of her own room, and return to 
the deck. 

As the hour was still early, Captain Truck having once 
quieted his feelings, went to work with zeal, to turn the late 
success to the best account. The cargo that had been dis- 
charged was soon stowed again, and the next great object was 
to get the ship afloat previously to hoisting in the new spars^ 
As the hedges still lay on the reef, and all the anchors re- 
mained in the places where they had originally been placed, 
there was little to do but to get ready to heave upon the chains 
as soon as the tide rose. Previously to commencing this task, 
however, the intervening time was well employed in sending 
down the imperfect hamper that was aloft, and in getting up 
shears to hoist out the remains of the foremast, as well as the 
jury mainmast, the latter of which, it will be remembered, was 
only fitted two days before. All the appliances used on that 
occasion being still on deck, and everybody lending a willing 
hand, this task was completed by noon. The jury-mast gave 
little trouble, but was soon lying on the bank ; and then Cap- 
tain Truck, the shears having been previously shifted, com- 
menced lifting the broken foremast, and just as the cooks an- 


412 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


nounced that the dinner was ready for the people, the latter 
safely deposited the spar on the sands. 

“ ‘ Here, a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowline,’ ” said Captain 
Truck to Mr. Blunt, as the crew came up the staging in their 
way to the galley, in quest of their meal. “ I have not beheld 
the Montauk without a mast since the day she lay a new-born 
child at the ship-yards. I see some half a dozen of these 
mummified scoundrels dodging about on the shore yet, though 
the great majority, as Mr. Dodge would say, have manifested 
a decided disposition to amuse themselves with a further ac- 
quaintance with the Dane. In my humble opinion, sir, that 
poor deserted ship will have no more inside of her by night, 
than one of Saunders’ ducks that have been dead an hour. 
That hearty fellow, Mr. Monday, is hit, I fear, between wind 
and water, Leach ?” 

“ He is in a bad way, indeed, as I understand from Mr. John 
Effingham, who very properly allows no one to disturb him, keep- 
ing the stateroom door closed on all but himself and his own man.” 

“ Ay, ay, that is merciful ; a man likes a little quiet when he 
is killed. As soon as the ship is more fit to be seen, how- 
ever, it will become my duty to wait on him, in order to see 
that nothing is wanting. We must offer the poor man the 
consolations of religion, Mr. Blunt.” 

“ They would certainly be desirable, had we one qualified 
for the task.” 

“ I can’t say as much in that way for myself, perhaps, as I 
might, seeing that my father was a priest. But then, we mas- 
ters of packets have occasion to turn our hands to a good many 
odd jobs. As soon as the ship is snug, I shall certainly take a 
look at the honest fellow. Pray, sir, what became of Mr. Dodge 
in the skirmish ?” 

Paul smiled, but he prudently answered, “ I believe he occu- 
pied himself in taking notes of the combat, and I make no 
doubt will do you full justice in the Active Inquirer, as soon as 
he gets its columns again at his command.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


413 


“ Too much learning, as my good father used to say, has 
made him a little mad. But I have a grateful heart to-day, 
Mr. Blunt, and will not be critical. I did not perceive Mr. 
Dodge in the conflict, as Saunders calls it, but there were so 
many of those rascally Arabs, that one had not an opportunity 
of seeing much else. We must get the ship outside of this 
reef with as little delay as possible, for to tell you a secret” — 
here the captain dropped his voice to a whisper — “ there are 
but two rounds a-piece left for the small-arms, and only one 
cartridge for the four-pounder. I own to you a strong desire 
to be in the ofiing.” 

“ They will hardly attempt to board us, after the specimen 
they have had of what we can do.” 

“No one knows, sir; no one knows. They keep pouring 
down upon the coast like crows on the scent of a carrion ; and 
once done with the Dane, we shall see them in hundreds prowl- 
ing around us like wolves. How much do we want of high 
water ?” 

“ An hour, possibly. I do not think there is much time to 
lose before the people get to work at the windlass.” 

Captain Truck nodded, and proceeded to look into the con- 
dition of his ground-tackle. It was a joyous but an anxious 
moment when the handspikes were first handled, and the slack 
of one of the chains began to come in. The ship had been 
upright several hours, and no one could tell how hard she 
would hang on the bottom. As the chain tightened, the gen- 
tlemen, the ofiicers included, got upon the bows and looked 
anxiously at the effect of each heave ; for it was a nervous 
thing to be stranded on such a coast, even after all that had 
occurred. 

“She winks, by George !” cried the captain ; “heave together, 
men, and you will stir the sand !” 

The men did heave, gaining inch by inch, until no effort could 
cause the ponderous machine to turn. The mates, and then the 
captain, applied their strength in succession, and but half a 


414 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


turn more was gained. Everybody was now summoned, even 
to the passengers, and the enormous strain seemed to threaten 
to tear the fabric asunder ; and still the ship was immovable. 

“ She hangs hardest forward, sir,” said Mr. Leach : “ suppose 
we run up the stern-boat ?” 

This expedient was adopted, and so nearly were the counter- 
acting powers balanced, that it prevailed. A strong heave 
caused the ship to start, an inch more of tide aided the effort, 
and then the vast hull slowly yielded to the purchase, gradually 
turning towards the anchor, until the quick blows of the pall 
announced that the vessel was fairly afloat again. 

“ Thank God for that, as for all his mercies !” said ‘Captain 
Truck. “ Heave the hussy up to her anchor, Mr. Leach, when 
we will cast an eye to her moorings.” 

All this was done, the ship being effectually secured, with 
due attention to a change in the wind, that now promised to be 
permanent. Not a moment was lost; but, the sheers being still 
standing, the foremast of the Dane was floated alongside, fastened 
to, and hove into its new berth, with as much rapidity as com- 
ported with care. When the mast was fairly stepped. Captain 
Truck rubbed his hands with delight, and immediately com- 
manded his subordinate to rig it, although by this time the turn 
of the day had considerably passed. 

“ This is the way with us seamen, Mr. Effingham,” he ob- 
served ; “ from the fall to the fight, and then again from the fight 
to the fall. Our work, like women’s, is never done ; whereas 
you landsmen knock off with the sun, and sleep while the corn 
grows. I have always owed my parents a grudge for bringing 
me up to a dog’s life.” 

“ I had understood it was a choice of your own, captain.” 

“Ay — so far as running away and shipping without their 
knowledge was concerned, perhaps it was ; but then it was their 
business to begin at the bottom, and to train me up in such a 
manner that I would not run away. The Lord forgive me, too, 
for thinking amiss of the two dear old people ; for, to be candid 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


415 


with you, they were much too good to have such a son ; and I 
honestly believe they loved me more than I loved myself. Well, 
I’ve the consolation of knowing I comforted the old lady with 
many a pound of capital tea after I got into the China trade, 
ma’amselle.” 

“ She was fond of it ?” observed the governess politely. 

“ She relished it very much, as a horse takes to oats, or a 
child to custard. That, and snutf and grace, composed her 
principal consolations.” 

“ Quoi demanded the governess, looking towards Paul for 
an explanation. 

“ Grace^ mademoiselle ; la grace de DieuP 

“ Bien /” 

“ It’s a sad misfortune, after all, to lose a mother, ma’amselle. 
It is like cutting all the headfasts, and riding altogether by the 
stern ; for it js letting go the hold of what has gone before to 
grapple with the future. It is true that I ran away from my 
mother when a youngster, and thought little of it ! but when she 
took her turn and ran away from me, I began to feel that I had 
made a wrong use of my legs. What are the tidings from poor 
Mr. Monday ?” 

‘‘ I understand he does not suffer greatly, but that he grows 
weaker fast,” returned Paul. “ I fear there is little hope of his 
surviving such a hurt.” 

The captain had got out a cigar, and had beckoned to Toast 
for a coal ; but changing his mind suddenly, he broke the to- 
bacco into snuff, and scattered it about the deck. 

“ Why the devil is not that rigging going up, Mr. Leach ?” 
he cried, fiercely. “ It is not my intention to pass the winter 
at these moorings, and I solicit a little more expedition.” 

“Ay, ay, sir,” returned the mate, one of a class habitually 
patient and obedient ; “ bear a hand, my lads, and get the strings 
into their places.” 

“ Leach,” continued the captain, more kindly, and still work- 
ing his fingers unconsciously, “ come this way, my good friend. 


416 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


I have not expressed to you, Mr. Leach, all I wish to say of your 
good conduct in this late affair. You have stood by me like a 
gallant fellow throughout the whole business, and I shall not 
hesitate about saying as much when we get in. It is my im 
tention to write a letter to the owners, which no doubt they’ll 
publish ; for, whatever they have got to say against America, 
no one will deny it is easy to get any thing published. Pub- 
lishing is victuals and drink to the nation. You may depend 
on having justice done you.” 

“ I never doubted it. Captain Truck.” 

“No, sir; and you never winked. The mainmast does 
not stand up in a gale firmer than you stood up to the 
niggers.” 

“ Mr. Effingham, sir — and Mr. Sharp — and particularly Mr. 
Blunt—” 

“ Let me alone to deal with them. Even Toast acted like 
a man. Well, Leach, they tell me poor Monday must slip, 
after all.” 

“ I am very sorry to hear it, sir ; Mr. Monday laid about him 
like a soldier 1” 

“ He did, indeed ; but Bonaparte himself has been obliged to 
give up the ghost, and Wellington must follow him some day ; 
even old Putnam is dead. Either you or I, or both of us, Leach, 
will have to throw in some of the consolations of religion on 
this mournful occasion.” 

“ There is Mr. Effingham, sir, or Mr. John Effingham ; elderly 
gentlemen with more scholarship.” 

“ That will never do. All they can offer, no doubt, will be 
acceptable, but we owe a duty to the ship. The officers of a 
packet are not graceless horse-jockeys, but sober, discreet men, 
and it becomes them to show that they have some education, 
and the right sort of stuff in them on an emergency. I expect 
you will stand by me, Leach, on this melancholy occasion, as 
stoutly as you stood by me this morning.” 

“ I humbly hope, sir, not to disgrace the vessel, but it is likely 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


417 


Mr. Monday is a Church-of-England-man, and we both belong 
to the Saybrook Platform !” 

“ Ah ! the devil ! — I forgot that ! But religion is religion ; 
old line or new line ; and I question if a man so near unmoor- 
ing will be very particular. The great thing is consolation, and 
that we must contrive to give him, by hook or by crook, when 
the proper moment comes ; and now, Mr. Leach, let the people 
push matters, and we shall have every thing up forward, and 
that mainmast stepped yet by ‘ sunset or it would be more 
literal to say sun-down f Captain Truck, like a true New 
England man, invariably using a provincialism that has got to 
be so general in America. 

The work proceeded with spirit, for every one was anxious to 
get the ship out of a berth that was so critical, as well from 
the constant vicinity of the Arabs as from the dangers of the 
weather. The wind baffled too, as it is usual on the margin of 
the trades, and at times it blew from the sea, though it con- 
tinued light, and the changes were of short continuance. As 
Captain Truck hoped, when the people ceased work at night, the 
fore and fore-topsail-yards were in their places, the topgallant- 
mast was fitted, and, with the exception of the sails, the ship was 
what is called a-tanto, forward. Aft, less had been done, though 
by the assistance of the supernumeraries, who continued to lend 
their aid, the two lower masts were stepped, though no rigging 
could be got over them. The men volunteered to work by 
watches through the night, but to this Captain Truck would 
not listen, affirming that they had earned their suppers and a 
good rest, both of which they should have. 

The gentlemen, who merely volunteered an occasional drag, 
cheerfully took the look-outs, and as there were plenty of fire- 
arms, though not* much powder, little apprehension was en- 
tertained of the Arabs. As was expected, the night passed 
away tranquilly, and every one arose with the dawn refreshed 
and strengthened. 

The return of day, however, brought the Arabs down upon 
18 ^ 


418 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the shore in crowds; for the last gale, which had been unusually 
severe, and the tidings of the wrecks, which had been spread 
by means of the dromedaries far and wide, had collected a 
force on the coast that began to be formidable through sheer 
numbers. The Dane had been effectually emptied, and plunder 
had the same effect on these rapacious barbarians that blood 
is known to produce on the tiger. The taste had begotten an 
appetite, and from the first appearance of the light, those in 
the ship saw signs of a disposition to renew the attempt on 
their liberty. 

Happily, the heaviest portion of the work was done, and 
Captain Truck determined, rather than risk another conflict 
with a force that was so much augmented, to get the spars on 
board, and to take the ship outside of the reef, without waiting 
to complete her equipment. His first orders, therefore, when 
all hands were mustered, were for the boats to get in the hedges 
and the stream anchor, and otherwise to prepare to move the 
vessel. In the mean time other gangs were busy in getting 
the rigging over the mast-heads, and in setting it up. As the 
lifting of the anchors with boats was heavy work, by the time 
they were got on board and stowed it was noon, and all the 
yards were aloft, though not a sail was bent in the vessel. 

Captain Truck, while the people were eating, passed through 
the ship, examining every stay and shroud. There were some 
make-shifts, it is true, but on the whole he was satisfied, though 
he plainly saw that the presence of the Arabs had hurried mat- 
ters a little, and that a good many drags would have to be 
given as soon as they got beyond danger, and that some atten- 
tion must be paid to seizings ; still, what had been done would 
answer very well for moderate weather, and it was too late to 
stop to change. 

The trade-wind had returned, and blew steadily, as if finally 
likely to stand ; and the water outside of the reef was smooth 
enough to permit the required alterations, now that the heavier 
spars were in their places. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


419 


The appearance of the Montauk certainly was not as stately 
and commanding as before the wreck, but there was an air of 
completeness about it that augured well. It was that of a ship 
of seven hundred tons, fitted with spars intended for a ship of 
five hundred. The packet a little resembled a man of six feet 
in the coat of a man of five feet nine ; and yet the discrepancy 
would not be apt to be noticed by any but the initiated. 
Every thing essential was in its place, and reasonably well se- 
cured, and, as the Dane had been rigged for a stormy sea, Cap- 
tain Truck felt satisfied he might, in his present plight, venture 
on the American coast, even in winter, without incurring un- 
usual hazard. 

As soon as the hour of work arrived, therefore, a boat was 
sent to drop a kedge as near the inlet as it would be safe to 
venture, and a little to windward of it. By making a calcula- 
tion, and inspecting his buoys, which still remained where he 
had placed them. Captain Truck found that he could get a 
narrow channel of sufiBcient directness to permit the ship to be 
warped as far as this point in a straight line. Every thing but 
the boats was now got on board, the anchor by which they 
rode was hove up, and the warp was brought to the capstan, 
when the vessel slowly began to advance towards the inlet. 

This movement was a signal to the Arabs, who poured down 
on both reefs in hundreds, screaming and gesticulating like 
maniacs. It required good nerves and some self-reliance to 
advance in the face of such a danger, and this so much the 
more, as the barbarians showed themselves in the greatest force 
on the northern range of rocks, which ofiered a good shelter 
for their persons, completely raked the channel, and, moreover, 
lay so near the spot where the kedge had been dropped, that 
one might have jerked a stone from the one to the other. To 
add to the awkwardness of the affair, the Arabs began to fire 
with those muskets that are of so little service in close encoun- 
ters, but which are notorious for sending their shot with great 
precision from a distance. The bullets came thick upon the 


420 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ship, though the stoutness of the bulwarks forward, and their 
height, as yet protected the men. 

In this dilemma. Captain Truck hesitated about continuing 
to haul ahead, and he sent for Mr. Blunt and Mr. Leach for a 
consultation. Both these gentlemen advised perseverance, and 
as the counsel of the former will succinctly show the state of 
things, it shall be given in his own words. 

“ Indecision is always discouraging to one’s friends, and en- 
couraging to one’s enemies,” he said, “ and I recommend per- 
severance. The nearer we haul to the rocks, the greater will 
be our command of them, while the more the chances of the 
Arabs throwing their bullets on our decks will be diminished. 
Indeed, so long as we ride head to wind, they cannot fire low 
enough to effect their object from the northern reef, and on the 
southern they will not venture very near, for want of cover. 
It is true, it will be impossible for us to bend our sails or to 
send out a boat in the face of so heavy a fire, while our assail- 
ants are so effectually covered ; but we may possibly dislodge 
them with the gun, or with our small-arms, from the decks. If 
not, I will head a party into the tops, from which I will undertake 
to drive them out of the reach of our muskets in five minutes.” 

“ Such a step would be very hazardous to those who ven- 
tured aloft.” 

“ It would not be without danger, and some loss must be 
expected ; but they who fight must expect risks.” 

“ In which case it will be the business of Mr. Leach and 
myself to head the parties aloft. If we are obliged to console 
the dying, damn me, but we are entitled to the privilege of 
fighting the living.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir,” put in the mate ; “ that stands to reason.” 

“ There are three tops, gentlemen,” returned Paul, mildly, 
“and I respect your rights too much to wish to interfere with 
them. We can each take one, and the effect will be in pro- 
portion to the greater means we employ — one vigorous assault 
being worth a dozen feints.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


421 


Captain Truck shook Paul heartily by the hand, and adopted 
his advice. When the young man had retired, he turned to 
the mate, and said — 

“ After all, these men-of-war’s men are a little beyond us in 
the science of attack and defence, though I think I could give 
him a hint in the science of signs. I have had two or three 
touches at privateering in my time, but no regular occupation 
in your broadside work. Did you see how Mr. Blunt handled 
his boat yesterday ? As much like two double blocks and a 
steady drag as one belaying-pin is like another, and as coolly as 
a great lady in London looks at one of us in a state of nature. 
For my part, Leach, I was as hot as mustard, and ready to cut 
the throat of the best friend I had on earth ; whereas he was 
smiling as I rowed past him, though I could hardly see his face 
for the smoke of his own gun.” 

“ Yes, sir, that’s the way with your regular builts. I’ll war- 
rant you he began young, and had kicked all the passion out 
of himself on old salts, by the time he was eighteen. He 
doesn’t seem, neither, like one of the true d — n-my-eye breed ; 
but it’s a great privilege to a man in a passion to be allowed 
to kick when and whom he likes.” 

“ Not he. I say, Leach, perhaps he might lend us a hand 
when it comes to the pinch with poor Monday. I have a 
great desire that the worthy fellow should take his departure 
decently.” 

“ Well, sir, I think you had better propose it. For my part. 
Pm quite willing to go into all three of the tops alone, rather 
than disappoint a dying man.” 

The captain promised to look to the matter, and then they 
turned their attention to the ship, which in a few more minutes 
was up as near the kedge as it was prudent to haul her. 


422 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

“ Speed, gallant bark, the tornado is past ; 

Staunch and secure thou hast weathered the blast ; 

Now spread thy full sails to the wings of the morn, 

And soon the glad haven shall greet thy return,” 

Park. 

The Montauk now lay close to the inlet, and even a little to 
windward of its entrance ; but the channel was crooked, not a 
sail was bent, nor was it possible to bend one properly without 
exposing the men to the muskets of the Arabs, who, from firing 
loosely, had got to be more wary and deliberate, aiming at the 
places where a head or an arm was occasionally seen. To 
prolong this state of things was merely to increase the evil, and 
Captain Truck determined to make an efi'ort at once to dislodge 
his enemies. 

With this view the gun was loaded in-board, filled nearly to 
the muzzle with slugs, and then it was raised with care to the 
topgallant-forecastle, and cautiously pushed forward near the 
gunwale. Had the barbarians understood the construction of a 
vessel, they might have destroyed half the packet’s crew while 
they were thus engaged about the forecastle, by firing through 
the planks ; but, ignorant of the weakness of the defences, they 
aimed altogether at the openings, or over the rails. 

By lowering the gaff* the spanker was imperfectly bent ; that 
is to say, it was bent on the upper leach. The boom was got 
in under cover of the hurricane-house, and of the bundle of the 
sail ; the out-hauler was bent, the boom replaced, the sail being 
hoisted with a little and a hurried lacing to the luff. This was 
not effected without a good deal of hazard, though the near- 
ness of the bows of the vessel to the rocks prevented most of 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


423 


the Arabs from perceiving what passed so far aft. Still, others 
nearer to the shore caught glimpses of the actors, and several 
narrow escapes were the consequence. The second mate, in 
particular, had a shot through his hat within an inch of his 
head. By a little management, notwithstanding, the luff of the 
spanker was made to stand tolerably well ; and the ship had at 
least the benefit of this one sail. 

The Dane had been a seaman of the old school ; and, instead 
of the more modern spenser, his ship had been fitted with old- 
fashioned staysails. Of these it was possible to bend the main 
and mizzen staysails in tolerable security, provided the ends of 
the halyards could be got down. As this, however, would be 
nearly all aftersail, the captain determined to make an effort to 
overhaul the buntlines and leachlines of the foresail, at the 
same time that men were sent aloft after the ends of the hal- 
yards. He also thought it possible to set a fore-topmast staysail 
flying. 

No one was deceived in this matter. The danger and the 
mode of operating were explained clearly, and then Captain 
Truck asked for volunteers. These were instantly found ; Mr. 
Leach and the second mate setting the example by stepping for- 
ward as the first two. In order that the whole procedure may 
be understood, however, it shall be explained more fully. 

Two men were prepared to run up on the foreyard at the 
word. Both of these, one of whom was Mr. Leach, carried 
three small balls of marline, to the end of each of which was at- 
tached a cod-hook, the bark being filed off in order to prevent 
its being caught. By means of these hooks the balls were 
fastened to the jackets of the adventurers. Two others stood 
ready at the foot of the main and mizzen riggings. By the gun 
lay Paul and three men ; while several of the passengers, and a 
few of the best shots among the crew, were stationed on the 
forecastle, armed with muskets and fowling-pieces. 

“ Is everybody ready ?” called out the captain from the 
quarter-deck. 


424 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ All ready !” and “ Ay ! ay, sir !” were answered from the 
different points of the ship. 

“ Haul out the spanker !” 

As soon as this sail was set, the stern of the ship swung 
round towards the inlet, so as to turn the bow on which the 
gun was placed towards the part of the reef where the Arabs 
were in greatest numbers. 

“ Be steady, men ! and no not hurry yourselves, though active 
as wild-cats ! Up, and away !” 

The two foreyard men, and the two by the after-masts, sprang 
into the rigging like squirrels, and were running aloft before the 
captain had done speaking. At the same instant one of the 
three by the gun leaped on the bowsprit, and ran out towards 
the stay. Paul and the other two rose and shoved the gun to 
its berth, and the small-arms men showed themselves at the 
rails. 

So many, all in swift motion, appearing at the same moment 
in the rigging, distracted the attention of the Arabs for an in- 
stant, though scattering shots were fired. Paul knew that the 
danger would be greatest when the men aloft were stationary, 
and he was in no haste. Perhaps for half a minute he was busy 
in choosing his object, and in levelling the gun, and then it was 
fired. He had chosen the moment well ; for Mr. Leach and his 
fellow adventurers were already on the foreyard, and the Arabs 
had arisen from their covers in the eagerness of taking aim. 
The small-arms men poured in their volley, and then little more 
could be done in the way of the offensive, nearly all the powder 
in the ship having been expended. 

It remains to tell the result of this experiment. Among the 
Arabs a few fell, and those most exposed to the fire from the 
ship were staggered, losing near a minute in their confusion ; 
but those more remote maintained hot discharges after the first 
surprise. The whole time occupied in what we are going to 
relate was about three minutes ; the action of the several parts 
going on simultaneously. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


425 


The adventurer forward, though nearest to the enemy, was 
least exposed. Partly covered by the bowsprit, he ran nimbly 
out on that spar till he reached the stay. Here he cut the stop 
of the fore-topmast halyards, overhauled the running part, and 
let the block swing in. He then hooked a block that he had 
carried out with him, and in which the bight of a rope had 
been rove through the thimble, and ran in as fast as possible. 
This duty, which had appeared the most hazardous of all the 
different adventures, on account of the proximity of the bowsprit 
to the reef, was the first done, and with the least real risk ; the 
man being partly concealed by the smoke of the gun, as well as 
by the bowsprit. He escaped uninjured. 

As the two men aft pursued exactly the same course, the 
movements of one will explain those of the other. On reach- 
ing the yard, the adventurer sprang on it, caught the hook of 
the halyard-block, and threw himself off without an instant’s 
hesitation, overhauling the halyards by his weight. Men stood 
in readiness below to check the fall by easing off the other end 
of the rope, and the hardy fellow reached the deck in safety. 
This seemed a nervous undertaking to the landsmen ; but the 
seamen who so well understood the machinery of their vessel, 
made light of it. 

On the foreyard, Mr. Leach passed out on one yard-arm, 
and his co-adventurer, a common seaman, on the other. Each 
left a hook in the knot of the inner buntline, as he went out, 
and dropped the ball of marline on deck. The same was done 
at the outer buntlines, and at the leachlines. Here the mate re- 
turned, according to his orders, leaped upon the rigging, and 
thence upon a backstay, when he slid on deck with a velocity 
that set aim at defiance. Notwithstanding the quickness of his 
motions, Mr. Leach received a trifling . hit on the shoulder, and 
several bullets whizzed near him. 

The seaman on the other yard-arm succeeded equally well, 
escaping the smallest injury, until he had secured the leachline, 
when, knowing the usefulness of obtaining it, for he was on the 


426 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


weather side of the ship, he determined to bring in the end ot 
the reef-tackle with him. Calling out to let go the rope on the 
deck, he ran out to the lift, bent over and secured the desired 
end, and raised himself erect, with the intention to make a run 
in, on the top of the yard. Captain Truck and the second mate 
had both commanded him to desist in vain, for impunity from 
harm had rendered him fool-hardy. In this perilous position 
he even paused to give a cheer. The cry was scarcely ended 
when he sprang off the yard several feet upwards and fell per- 
pendicularly towards the sea, carrying the rope in his hand. 
At first, most on board believed the man had jumped into the 
water as the least hazardous means of getting down, depending 
on the rope, and on swimming, for his security; but Paul 
pointed out the spot of blood that stained the surface of the sea, 
at the point where he had fallen. The reef-tackle was rounded 
cautiously in, and its end rose to the surface without the hand 
that had so lately grasped it. The man himself never reap- 
peared. 

Captain Truck had now the means of setting three staysails, 
the spanker, and the fore-course ; sails sufificient, he thought, to 
answer his present purposes. The end of the reef-tackle, that 
had been so dearly bought, was got in, by means of a light line 
which was thrown around it. 

The order was now given to brail the spanker, and to clap on 
and weigh the kedge, which was done by the run. As soon as 
the ship was free of the bottom, the fore-topmast-staysail was 
set flying, like a jib-topsail, by hauling out the tack and sway- 
ing upon the halyards. The sheet was hauled to windward, 
and the helm put down ; of course the bows of the ship began 
to fall off, and, as soon as her head was sufficiently near her 
course, the sheet was drawn, and the wheel shifted. 

Captain Truck now ordered the foresail, which by this time 
was ready, to be set. This important sail was got on the vessel, 
by bending the buntlines and leachlines to its head, and by 
hauling out the weather-head-cringle by means of the reef- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


427 


tackle. As soon as this broad spread of canvas was on the 
ship, her motion was accelerated, and she began to move away 
from the spot, followed by the furious cries and menaces of the 
Arabs. To the latter no one paid any heed, but they -vitere 
audible until drowned in distance. Although aided by all her 
spars, and the force of the wind on her hull, a body as large as 
the Montauk required some little time to overcome the vis in- 
ertice^ and several anxious minutes passed before she was so far 
from the cover of the Arabs as to prevent their clamor from 
seeming to be in the very ears of those on board. When this 
did occur, it brought inexpressible relief, though it perhaps in- 
creased the danger, by increasing the chances of the bullets 
hitting objects on deck. 

The course at first was nearly before the wind, when the flat 
rock, so often named, being reached, the ship was compelled to 
haul up on an easy bowline, in order to pass to windward of it. 
Here the staysails aft and the spanker were set, which aided in 
bringing the vessel to the wind, and the fore-tack was brought 
down. By laying straight out of the pass, a distance of only a 
hundred yards, the vessel would be again clear of every thing, 
and beyond all the dangers of the coast, so long as the present 
breeze stood. But the tide set the vessel bodily towards the 
rock, and her condition did not admit of pressing hard upon a 
bowline. Captain Truck was getting to be uneasy, for he soon 
perceived that they were nearing the danger, though very 
gradually, and he began to tremble for his copper. Still the 
vessel drew steadily ahead, and he had hopes of passing the 
outer edge of the rocks in safety. This outer edge was a broken, 
ragged, and pointed fragment, that would break in the planks 
should the vessel rest upon it an instant, while falling in that 
constant heaving and setting of the ocean, which now began to 
be very sensibly felt. After all his jeopardy, the old mariner 
saw that his safety was at a serious hazard, by one of those un- 
foreseen but common risks that environ the seaman’s life. 

“ Luff! luff! you can,” cried Captain Truck, glancing his eye 


428 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


from the rock to the sails, and from the sails to the rock. “ Luft*, 
sir — you are at the pinch !” 

“ Luff it is, sir !” answered the man at the wheel, who stood 
abaft the hurricane-house, covered by its roof, over which he 
was compelled to look, to get a view of the sails. “ Luff I may, 
and luff it is, sir.” 

Paul stood at the captain’s side, the crew being ordered to 
keep themselves as much covered as possible, on account of the 
bullets of the Arabs, which were at this time pattering against 
the vessel, like hail at the close of a storm. 

“We shall not weather that point of ragged rock,” exclaimed 
the young man, quickly ; “ and if we touch it the ship will be 
lost.” 

“Let her claw off,” returned the old man sternly. “Her 
cutwater is up with it already. Let her claw off.” 

The bows of the ship were certainly up with the danger, and 
the vessel was slowly drawing ahead ; but every moment its 
broadside was set nearer to the rock, which was now within 
fifty feet of them. The fore-chains were past the point, though 
. little hope remained of clearing it abaft. A ship turns on her 
centre of gravity as on a pivot, the two ends inclining in oppo- 
site directions ; and Captain Truck hoped that as the bows were 
past the danger, it might be possible to throw the afterpart of 
the vessel up to the wind, by keeping away, and thus clear the 
spot entirely. 

“ Hard up with your helm !” he shouted ; “ hard up ! — Haul 
down the mizzen-staysail, and give her sheet !” 

The sails were attended to, but no answer came from the 
wheel, nor did the vessel change her course. 

“ Hard up, I tell you, sir — hard up — hard up, and be d d 

to you !” 

The usual reply was not made. Paul sprang through the 
narrow gangway that led to the wheel. All that passed took 
but a minute, and yet it was the most critical minute that had 
yet befallen the Montauk ; for had she touched that rock but 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


429 


for an instant, human art could hardly have kept her above 
water an hour. 

“ Hard up, and be d d to you !” repeated Captain Truck, 

in a voice of thunder, as Paul darted round the corner of the 
hurricane-house. 

The seaman stood at the wheel, grasping its spokes firmly, 
his eyes aloft as usual, but the turns of the tiller rope showed 
that the order was not obeyed. 

“ Hard up, man, hard up ! are you mad ?” Paul uttered 
these words as he sprang to the wheel, which he made whirl 
with his own hands in the required direction. As for the sea- 
man, he yielded his hold without resistance, and fell like a log, 
as the wheel flew round. A hall had entered his back, and 
passed through his heart, and yet he had stood steadily to the 
spokes, as the true mariner always clings to the helm while 
life lasts. 

The bows of the ship fell heavily off, and her stern pressed 
up towards the wind ; but the trifling delay so much augment- 
ed the risk, that nothing saved the vessel but the formation of 
the run and counter, which, by receding as usual, allowed room 
to escape the dangerous point, as the Montauk hove by on a 
swell. 

Paul could not see the nearness of the escape, but the puri- 
ty of the water permitted Captain Truck and his mates to 
observe it with a distinctness that almost rendered them 
breathless. Indeed there was an instant when the sharp rock 
was hid beneath the counter, and each momentarily expected 
to hear the grating of the fragment, as it penetrated the ves- 
sel’s bottom. 

“ Relieve that man at the wheel, and send him hither this 
moment,” said Captain Truck, in a calm stern voice, that was 
more ominous than an oath. 

The mate called a seaman, and passed aft himself to execute 
the order. In a minute he and Paul returned, bearing the 
body of the dead mariner, when all was explained. 


430 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Lord, thy ways are unsearchable !” muttered the old master, 
uncovering himself, as the corpse was carried past, “ and we 
are but as grains of seed, and as the vain butterflies in thy 
hand !” 

The rock once cleared, an open ocean lay to leeward of the 
packet, and bringing the wind a little abaft the beam, she 
moved steadily away from those rocks that had been the wit- 
nesses of all her recent dangers. It was not long before she 
was so distant that all danger from the Arabs ceased. The 
barbarians, notwithstanding, continued a dropping fire and 
furious gesticulations, long after their bullets and menaces be- 
came matters of indifi’erence to those on board. 

The body of the dead man was laid between the masts, and 
the order was past to bend the sails. As all was ready, in half 
an hour the Montauk was standing off the land under her three 
topsails, the reef now distant nearly a league. The courses 
came next, when the topgallant-yards were crossed and the 
sails set ; the lighter canvas followed, and some time before the 
sun disappeared, the ship was under studding-sails, standing to 
the westward, before the trades. 

For the first time since he received the intelligence that the 
Arabs were the masters of the ship. Captain Truck now felt 
real relief. He was momentarily happy after the combat, but 
new cares had pressed upon him so soon, that he could 
scarcely be said to be tranquil. Matters were now changed. 
His vessel was in good order, if not equipped for racing, and, 
as he was in a low latitude, had the trade-winds to befriend him, 
and no longer entertained any apprehension of his old enemy 
the Foam, he felt as if a mountain had been removed from his 
breast. 

“ Thank God,” he observed to Paul, “ I shall sleep to-night 
without dreaming of Arabs or rocks, or scowling faces at New 
York. They may say that another man might have shown 
more skill in keeping clear of such a scrape, but they will hard- 
ly say that another man could have got out of it better. All 


HOMEWARD ROUND. 


431 


this handsome outfit, too, will cost the owners nothing — literally 
nothing ; and I question if the poor Dane will ever appear to 
claim the sails and spars. I do not know that we are in pos- 
session of them exactly according to the law of Africa, for of 
that code I know little ; or according to the law of nations, for 
Vattel, I believe, has nothing on the subject; but we are in 
possession so effectually, that, barring the nor’westers on the 
American coast, I feel pretty certain of keeping them until we 
make the East River.” 

“ It might be better to bury the dead,” said Paul ; for he 
knew Eve would scarcely appear on deck as long as the body 
remained, in sight. “ Seamen, you know, are superstitious on 
the subject of corpses.” 

“ I have thought of this, but hoped to cheat those two ras- 
cals of sharks that are following in our wake, as if they scented 
their food. It is an extraordinary thing, Mr. Blunt, that these 
fish should know when there is a body in a ship, and that they 
will follow it a hundred leagues to make sure of their prey.” 

“ It would be extraordinary, if true ; but in what manner has 
the fact been ascertained ?” 

“You see the two rascally pirates astern?” observed Mr. 
Leach. 

“ Very true ; but we might also see them were there no dead 
body about the ship. Sharks abound in this latitude, and I 
have seen several about the reef since we went in.” 

“ They’ll be disappointed as to poor Tom Smith,” said the 
mate, “ unless they dive deep for him. I have lashed one of 
Napoleon’s busts to the fine fellow’s feet, and he’ll not fetch up 
until he’s snugly anchored on the bottom.” 

“ This is a fitting hour for solemn feelings,” said the captain, 
gazing about him at the heavens and the gathering gloom of 
twilight. “ Call all hands to bury the dead, Mr. Leach. I con- 
fess I should feel easier myself as to the weather, were the body 
fairly out of the ship.” 

While the mate went forward to muster the people, the cap- 


432 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


tain took Paul aside with a request that he would perform the 
last offices for the deceased. 

“ I will read a chapter in the Bible myself,” he said ; “ for I 
should not like the people to see one of the crew go overboard, 
and the officers have no word to say in the ceremonies ; it 
might beget disrespect, and throw a slur on our knowledge ; 
but you man-of-war’s-men are generally more regularly brought 
up to prayers than us liners, and if you have a proper book by 
you, I should feel infinitely obliged if you would give us a lift 
on this melancholy occasion.” 

Paul proposed that Mr. Effingham should be asked to offici- 
ate, as he knew that gentleman read prayers in his cabin, to his 
own party, night and morning. 

“ Does he ?” said the captain “ then he is my man, for he 
must have his hand in, and there will be no stammering or 
boggling. Ay, ay ; he will fetch through on one tack. Toast, 
go below, and present my compliments to Mr. Effingham, and 
say I should like to speak to him ; and, harkee. Toast, desire 
him to put a prayer-book in his pocket, and then step into my 
stateroom, and bring up the Bible you will find under the pil- 
low. The Arabs had a full chance at the plunder ; but there 
is something about the book that always takes care of it. Few 
rogues. I’ve often remarked, care about a Bible. They would 
sooner steal ten novels than one copy of the sacred writ. This 
of mine was my mother’s, Mr. Blunt, and I should have been a 
better man had I overhauled it oftener.” 

We pass over most of the arrangements, and come at once to 
the service, and to the state of the ship, just as her inmates were 
assembled on an occasion which no want of formality can ren- 
der any thing but solemn and admonitory. The courses were 
hauled up, and the maintop-sail had been laid to the mast, a 
position in which a ship has always an air of stately repose. 
The body was stretched on a plank that lay across a rail, the 
leaden bust being inclosed in the hammock that enveloped it. 
A spot of blood on the cloth alone betrayed the nature of the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


433 


death. Around the body were grouped the crew, while Captain 
Truck and his mates stood at the gangway. The passengers 
were collected on the quarter-deck, with Mr. Effingham, hold- 
ing a prayer-book, a little in advance. 

The sun had just dipped into the ocean, and the whole 
western horizon was glorious with those soft, pearly, rainbow 
hues that adorn the evening and the morning of a low latitude, 
during the soft weather of the autumnal months. To the east- 
ward, the low line of coast was just discernible by the hillocks 
of sand, leaving the imagination to portray its solitude and 
wastes. The sea in all other directions was dark and gloomy, 
and the entire character of the sunset was that of a grand pic- 
ture of ocean magnificence and extent, relieved by a sky in 
which the tints came and went like the well-known colors of 
the dolphin : to this must be added the gathering gloom of 
twilight. 

Eve pressed the arm of John Effingham, and gazed with ad- 
miration and awe at the imposing scene. 

“ This is the seaman’s grave !” she whispered. 

“ And worthy it is to be the tomb of so gallant a fellow. The 
man died clinging to his post ; and Powis tells me that his hand 
was loosened from the wheel with difficulty.” 

They were silent, for Captain Truck uncovered himself, as 
did all around him, placed his spectacles, and opened the sacred 
volume. The old mariner was far from critical in his selections 
of readings, and he usually chose some subject that he thought 
would most interest his hearers, which were ordinarily those 
that most interested himself. To him Bible was Bible, and he 
now turned to the passage in the Acts of the Apostles in which 
the voyage of St. Paul from Judea to Rome is related. This 
he read with steadiness, some quaintness of pronunciation, and 
with a sort of breathing elasticity, whenever he came to those 
verses that touched particularly on the navigation. 

Paul maintained his perfect self-command during this extra- 
ordinary exhibition, but an unbidden smile lingered around the 

19 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


4M 

handsome and chiselled mouth of Mr. Sharp. John Effingham’s 
curved face was sedate and composed, while the females were 
too much impressed to exhibit any levity. As to the crew, 
they listened in profound attention, occasionally exchanging 
glances whenever any of the nautical expedients struck them as 
being out of rule. 

As soon as this edifying chapter was ended, Mr. Effingham 
commenced the solemn rites for the dead. At the first sound 
of his voice, a calm fell on the vessel as if the Spirit of God had 
alighted from the clouds, and a thrill passed through the frames 
of the listeners. Those solemn words of the Apostle com- 
mencing with, “ I am the resurrection and the life, saith the 
Lord ; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he 
shall live : and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, he shall 
never die,” could not have been better delivered. The voice, 
intonation, utterance, and manner of Mr. Effingham were emi- 
nently those of a gentleman ; without pretension, quiet, simple, 
and mellow, while, on the other hand, they were feeling, digni- 
fied, distinct, and measured. 

When he pronounced the words, “ I know that my Redeemer 
liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : 
and though, after my skin, worms destroy my body, yet in my 
flesh shall I see God,” &c., &c., the men stared about them as 
if a real voice from heaven had made the declaration, and Cap- 
tain Truck looked aloft like one expecting a trumpet-blast. The 
tears of Eve began to flow as she hstened to the much-loved 
tones ; and the stoutest heart in that much-tried ship quailed. 
John Effingham made the responses of the psalm steadily, and 
Mr. Sharp and Paul soon joined him. But the profoundest 
effect was produced when the office reached those consoling but 
startling words from the Revelations, commencing with, “ I 
heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write, from hence- 
forth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,” &c. Captain 
Truck afterwards confessed that he thought he heard the very 
voice, and the men actually pressed together in their alarm. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


435 


The plunge of the body was also a solemn instant. It went off 
the end of the plank feet foremost, and, carried rapidly down by 
the great weight of the lead, the water closed above it, oblitera- 
ting every trace of the seaman’s grave. Eve thought that its exit 
resembled the few brief hours that draw the veil of oblivion 
around the mass of mortals when they disappear from earth. 

Instead of asking for the benediction at the close of the cere- 
mony, Mr. Eflfingham devoutly and calmly commenced the 
psalm of thanksgiving for victory, “ If the Lord had not been 
on our side, now may we say, if the Lord himself had not been 
on our side, when men rose up against us, they would have 
swallowed us up quick, when they were so wrathfully displeased 
with us.” Most of the gentlemen joined in the responses, and 
the silvery voice of Eve sounded sweet and holy amid the 
breathings of the ocean. Te Deum Laudamus^ “We praise 
thee, O God ! we acknowledge thee to be the Lord !” “ All 

the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting closed the 
offices, when Mr. Effingham dismissed his congregation with 
the usual layman’s request for the benediction. 

Captain Truck had never before been so deeply impressed 
with any religious ceremony, and when it ceased he looked 
wistfully over the side at the spot where the body had fallen, 
or where it might be supposed to have fallen — for the ship had 
drifted some distance — as one takes a last look at the grave of 
a friend. 

“ Shall we fill the maintop-sail, sir ?” demanded Mr. Leach, 
after waiting a minute or two in deference to his commander’s 
feelings ; “ or shall we hook on the yard-tackles, and stow the 
launch ?” 

“ Not yet, Leach, not yet ; it will be unkind to poor Jack to 
hurry away from his grave so indecently. I have observed 
that the people about the river always keep in sight till the 
last sod is stowed and the rubbish is cleared away. The fine 
fellow stood to those spokes as a close-reefed topsail in a gale 
stands the surges of the wind, and we owe him this little respect.” 


436 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ The boats, sir ?” 

“ Let them tow a while longer. It will seem like deserting 
him to be rattling the yard-tackles and stowing boats directly 
over his head. Your gran’ther was a priest, Leach, and I won- 
der you don’t see the impropriety of hurrying away from a 
grave. A little reflection will hurt none of us.” 

The mate admired at a mood so novel for his commander, 
but he was fain to submit. The day was fast closing notwith- 
standing, and the skies were losing their brilliancy in hues that 
were still softer and more melancholy, as if nature delighted, 
too, in sympathizing with the feelings of these lone mariners. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


437 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

“ sir, ’tis my occupation to be plain.” 

Lbab. 

The barbarians had done much less injury to the ship and 
her contents than under the circumstances could have been 
reasonably hoped. The fact that nothing could be effectually 
landed where she lay was probably the cause, the bales that 
had actually been got out of the ship having been put upon 
the bank with a view to lighten her, more than for any other 
reason. The compact, too, between the chiefs had its influence 
probably, though it could not have lasted long with so strong 
temptations to violate it constantly before the eyes of men 
habitually rapacious. 

Of course, one of the first things after each individual had 
ascertained his own losses, was to inquire into those of his 
neighbors, and the usual party in the ladies’ cabin was seated 
around the sofa of Eve, about nine in the evening, conversing 
on this topic, after having held a short but serious discourse on 
their recent escape. 

“ You tell me, John, that Mr. Monday has a desire to sleep ?” 
observed Mr. Effingham, in the manner in which one puts an 
interrogation. 

“ He is easier, and dozes. I have left my man with him, 
with orders to summon me the instant he awakes.” 

A melancholy pause succeeded, and then the discourse took 
the channel from which it had been diverted. 

“ Is the extent of our losses in effects known asked Mr. 


438 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Sharp. “ My man reports some trifling deficit, but nothing of 
any value.” 

“Your counterfeit,” returned Eve, smiling, “has been the 
principal sufierer. One would think, by his plaints, that not a 
toy is left in Christendom.” 

“ So long as they have not stolen from him his good name I 
shall not complain, as I may have some use for it when we 
reach America, of which now, God be praised ! there are some 
flattering prospects.” 

“ I understand from my connections that the person who is 
known in the main cabin as Sir George Templemore, is not the 
person who is known as such in this,” observed John Effing- 
ham, bowing to Mr. Sharp, who returned his salute as one ac- 
knowledges an informal introduction. “There are certainly 
weak men to be found in high stations all over the world, but 
you will probably think I am doing honor to my own sagacity, 
when I say that I suspected, from the flrst, that he was not the 
true Amphitryon. I had heard of Sir George Templemore, 
and had been taught to expect more in him than even a man 
of fashion — a man of the world — while this poor substitute 
can scarcely lay claim to be either.” 

John Effingham so seldom complimented that his kind words 
usually told, and Mr. Sharp acknowledged the politeness, more 
gratified than he was probably willing to acknowledge to him- 
self. The other could have heard of him only from Eve and 
her father, and it was doubly grateful to be spoken of favorably 
in such a quarter. He tnought there was a consciousness in 
the slight sutFusion that appeared on the face of the daughter, 
which led him to hope that even the latter had not considered 
him unworthy of recollection ; for he cared but little for the 
remembrances of Mr. Effingham, if they could all be transferred 
to his child. 

“ This person, who does me the honor to relieve me from 
the trouble of bearing my own name,” he resumed, “ cannot be 
of very lofty pretensions, or he would have aspired higher. I 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


439 


suspect him of being merely one of those silly young country- 
men of mine, of whom so many crowd stage-coaches and pack- 
ets, to swagger over their less ambitious fellow-mortals with the 
strut and exactions of the hour.” 

“And yet, apart from his folly in ‘sailing under false colors,’ 
as our worthy captain would call it, the man seems well 
enough.” 

“ A folly, cousin J ack,” said Eve, with laughing eyes, though 
she maintained a perfect demureness with her beautiful features, 
“ that he shares in common with so many others !” 

“ Yery true, though I suspect he has climbed to commit it, 
while others have been content to descend. The man himself 
behaved well yesterday, showing steadiness as well as ■ spirit in 
the fray.” 

“ I forgive him his usurpation for his conduct on that occa- 
sion,” returned Mr. Sharp, “ and wish with all my heart the 
Arabs had discovered less affection for his curiosities. I should 
think that they must find themselves embarrassed to ascertain 
the uses of some of their prizes — such, for instance, as the but- 
ton-hooks, the shoe-horn, knives with twenty blades, and other 
objects that denote a profound civilization.” 

“ You have not spoken of your luck, Mr. Powis,” added Mr. 
Effingham ; “ I trust you have fared as well as most of us, 
though, had they visited their enemies according to the injury 
received from them, you would be among the heaviest of the 
sufferers.” 

“ My loss,” replied Paul, mournfully, “ is not much in pecu- 
niary value, though irreparable to me.” 

A look of concern betrayed the general interest, for, as he 
really seemed sad, there was a secret apprehension that his 
loss even exceeded that which his words would give them rea- 
son to suppose. Perceiving the curiosity that was awakened, 
and which was only suppressed by politeness, the young man 
added : 

“ I miss a miniature, that to me is of inestimable value.” 


440 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Eve’s heart throbbed, while her eyes sunk to the carpet. 
The others seemed amazed, and after a brief pause, Mr. Sharp 
observed — 

“ A painting on its own account would hardly possess much 
value with such barbarians. Was the setting valuable?” 

“ It was of gold, of course, and had some merit in the way 
of workmanship. It has probably been taken as curious, rather 
than for its specific value ; though to me, as I have just said, 
the ship itself could scarcely be of more account — certainly not 
as much prized.” 

“ Many light articles have been merely mislaid ; taken away 
through curiosity or idleness, and left where the individual 
happened to be at the moment of changing his mind,” said 
John Effingham ; “ several things of mine have been scattered 
through the cabins in this manner, and I understand that 
divers vestments of the ladies have found their way into the 
staterooms of the other cabin; particularly a night-cap of 
Mademoiselle Yiefville’s, that has been discovered in Captain 
Truck’s room, and which that gallant seaman has forthwith 
condemned as a lawful waif. As he never uses such a device 
on his head, he will be compelled to wear it next his heart. 
He will be compelled to convert it into a liber ty-Q,2c^P 

“ del ! if the excellent captain will carry us safe to New 
York,” coolly returned the governess, “he shall have the prize, 
de tout mon coeur ; c’est un homme hrave^ et dest aussi un 
brave homme, a safagonP 

“ Here are two hearts concerned in the affair already, and no 
one can foresee the consequences ; but,” turning to Paul, “ de- 
scribe this miniature, if you please, for there are many in the 
vessel, and yours is not the only one that has been mislaid.” 

“ It was a miniature of a female, and one too, I think, that 
would be remarked for her beauty.” 

Eve felt a chill at her heart. 

“ If, sir, it is the miniature of an elderly lady,” said Ann Sid- 
ley, “ perhaps it is this which I found in Miss Eve’s room, and 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


441 


which I intended to give to Captain Truck in order that it 
might reach the hands of its right owner.” 

Paul took the miniature, which he regarded coldly for a 
moment, and then returned to the nurse. 

“ Mine is the miniature of a female under twenty,” he said, 
coloring as he spoke ; “ and is every way different from this.” 

This was the painful and humiliating moment when Eve 
Effingham was made to feel the extent and the nature of the 
interest she took in Paul Powis. On all the previous occasions 
in which her feelings had been strongly awakened on his ac- 
count, she had succeeded in deceiving herself as to the motive, 
but now the trutlf was felt in that overwhelming form that no 
sensitive heart can distrust. 

No one had seen the miniature, though all observed the 
emotion with which Paul spoke of it, and all secretly wondered 
of whom it could be. 

“ The Arabs appear to have some such taste for the fine arts 
as distinguishes the population of a mushroom American city,” 
said J ohn Effingham ; “ or one that runs to portraits, which are 
admired while the novelty lasts, and then are consigned to the 
first spot that offers to receive them.” 

“ Are your miniatures all safe. Eve ?” Mr. Effingham inquired 
with interest ; for among them was one of her mother that he 
had yielded to her only through strong parental affection, hut 
which it would have given him deep pain to discover was lost, 
though John Effingham, unknown to him, possessed a copy. 

“ It is with the jewelry in the baggage-room, dearest father, 
and untouched of course. We are fortunate that our passing 
wants did not extend beyond our comforts, and luckily they are 
not of a nature to be much prized by barbarians. Coquetry and 
a ship have little in common, and Mademoiselle Viefville and 
myself had not much out to tempt the marauders.” 

As Eve uttered this, both the young men involuntarily turned 
their eyes towards her, each thinking that a being so fair stood 
less in need than common of the factitious aid of ornaments. 

19 ^ 


442 


HOMEWARD BOlTND. 


She was dressed in a dark French chintz, that her maid had 
fitted to her person in a manner that it would seem none but a 
French assistant can accomplish, setting off her falling shoul- 
ders, finely-moulded bust, and slender-rounded waist, in a way 
to present a modest outline of their perfection. The dress had 
that polished medium between fashion and its exaggeration, 
that always denotes a high association, and perhaps a cultivated 
mind — certainly a cultivated taste — offending neither usage on 
the one hand, nor self-respect and a chaste appreciation of 
beauty on the other. Indeed, Eve was distinguished for that 
important acquisition to a gentlewoman, an intellectual or re- 
fined toilette ; not intellect and refinement in Extravagance and 
caricature, but as they are displayed in fitness, simplicity, ele- 
gance, and the proportions. This much, perhaps, she owed to 
native taste, as the slight air of fashion, and the high air of a 
gentlewoman, that were thrown about her person and attire, 
were the fruits of an intimate connection with the best society 
of half thje capitals of the European continent. As an unmar- 
ried female, modesty, the habits of the part of the world in 
which she had so long dwelt, and her own sense of propriety, 
caused her to respect simplicity of appearance ; but througb 
this, as it might be in spite of herself, shone qualities of a su- 
perior order. The little hand and foot, so beautiful and deli- 
cate, the latter just peeping from the dress under which it was 
usually concealed, appeared as if formed expressly to adorn a 
taste that was every way feminine and alluring. 

“ It is one of the mysteries of the grand designs of Providence, 
that men should exist in conditions so widely distant from each 
other,” said John Efiingham, abruptly, “with a common nature 
that can be so much varied by circumstances. It is almost hu- 
miliating to find one’s self a man, when beings like these Arabs 
are to be classed as fellows.” 

“ The most instructed and refined, cousin Jack, may get a 
useful lesson, notwithstanding your disrelish for the consan- 
guinity, from this very identity of nature,” said Eve, who made 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


443 


a rally to overcome feelings that she deemed girlish and weak. 
“ By showing us what we might be ourselves, we get an admo- 
nition of humility ; or by reflecting on the difference that is 
made by education, does it not strike you that there is an en- 
couragement to persevere until better things are attained ?” 

“ This globe is but a ball, and a ball, too, insignificant, even 
when compared with the powers of man,” continued the other. 
“ How many navigators now circle it ! even you, sir, may have 
done this, young as you still are,” turning to Paul, who made 
a bow of assent ; “ and yet, within these narrow limits, what 
wonderful varieties of physical appearance, civilization, laws, 
and even of color, do we find, all mixed up with points of 
startling affinity.” 

“ So far as a limited experience has enabled me to judge,” 
observed Paul, “ I have everywhere found, not only the same 
nature, but a common innate sentiment of justice that seems 
universal ; for even amidst the wildest scenes of violence, or of 
the most ungovernable outrages, this sentiment glimmers 
through the more brutal features of the being. The rights of 
property, for instance, are everywhere acknowledged ; the very 
wretch who steals whenever he can, appearing conscious of his 
crime, by doing it clandestinely, and as a deed that shuns ob- 
servation. All seem to have the same general notions of nat- 
ural justice, and they are forgotten only through the policy of 
systems, irresistible temptation, the pressure of want, or the re- 
sult of contention.” 

“ Yet, as a rule, man everywhere oppresses his weaker fel- 
low.” 

“ True ; but he betrays consciousness of his error, directly or 
indirectly. One can show his sense of the magnitude of his 
crime even by the manner of defending it. As respects our 
late enemies, I cannot say I felt any emotion of animosity while 
the hottest engaged against them, for their usages have ren- 
dered their proceedings lawful.” 

“ They tell me,” interrupted Mr. Effingham, “ that it is 


444 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


owing to your presence of mind and steadiness that more blood 
was not shed unnecessarily.” 

“ It may be questioned,” continued Paul, noticing this com- 
pliment merely by an inclination of the head, “ if civilized 
people have not reasoned themselves, under the influence of in- 
terest, into the commission of deeds quite as much opposed to 
natural justice as any thing done by these barbarians. Perhaps 
no nation is perfectly free from the just imputation of having 
adopted some policy quite as unjustifiable in itself as the sys- 
tem of plunder maintained among the Arabs.” 

“ Do you count the rights of hospitality as nothing ?” 

“Look at France, a nation distinguished for refinement, 
among its rulers at least. It was but the other day that the 
effects of the stranger who died in her territory were appro- 
priated to the uses of a monarch wallowing in luxury. Com- 
pare this law with the treaties that invited strangers to repair 
to the country, and the wants of the monarch who exhibited 
the rapacity, to the situation of the barbarians from whom we 
have escaped, and the magnitude of the temptation we offered, 
and it does not appear that the advantage is much with Chris- 
tians. But the fate of shipwrecked mariners all over the world 
is notorious. In countries the most advanced in civilization 
they are plundered, if there is an opportunity, and, at need, 
frequently murdered.” 

“ This is a frightful picture of humanity,” said Eve, shudder- 
ing. “ I do not think that this charge can be justly brought 
against America.” 

“ That is far from certain. America has many advantages 
to weaken the temptation to crime, hut she is very far from 
perfect. The people on some of her coasts have been accused 
of resorting to the old English practice of showing false lights, 
with a view to mislead vessels, and of committing cruel depre- 
dations on the. wrecked. In all things I believe there is a dis- 
position in man to make misfortune weigh heaviest on the un- 
fortunate. Even the coffin in which we inter a friend costs 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


44 


more than any other piece of work of the same amount of labor 
and materials.” 

“ This is a gloomy picture of humanity, to be drawn by one 
so young,” Mr. EflSngham mildly rejoined. 

“ I think it true. All men do not exhibit their selfishness 
and ferocity in the same way ; but there are few who do not 
exhibit both. As for America, Miss Effingham, she is fast 
getting vices peculiar to herself and her system, and, I think, 
vices which bid fair to bring her down, ere long, to the com- 
mon level, although I do not go quite so far in describing her 
demerits as some of the countrymen of Mademoiselle Viefville 
have gone.” 

“And what may that have been?” asked the governess 
eagerly, in English. 

“ Pourrie avant d'kre miire. Miire^ America is certainly far 
from being ; but I am not disposed to accuse her yet of being 
quite pourrie.^"' 

“We had flattered ourselves,” said Eve, a little reproach- 
fully, “with having at last found a countryman in Mr. 
Powis.” 

“ And how would that change the question ? Or, do you 
admit that an American can be no American, unless blind to 
the faults of the country, however great ?” 

“ Would it be generous for a child to turn upon a parent that 
all others assail ?” 

“ You put the case ingeniously, but scarcely with fairness. 
It is the duty of the parent to educate and correct the child, 
but it is the duty of the citizen to reform and improve the 
character of his country. How can the latter be done, if 
nothing but eulogies are dealt in ? With foreigners, one should 
not deal too freely with the faults of his country, though even 
with the liberal among them one would wish to be liberal, for 
foreigners cannot repair the evil ; but with one’s countrymen I 
see little use . and much danger, in observing a silence as to 
faults. The American, of all others, it appears to me, should 


446 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


be the boldest in denouncing the common and national vices, 
since he is one of those who, by the institutions thenjselves, has 
the power to apply the remedy.” 

“ But America is an exception, I think, or perhaps it would 
be better to say Ifeel^ since all other people deride at, mock 
her, and dislike her. You will admit this yourself. Sir George 
Templemore ?” 

“ By no means : in England, now, I consider America to be 
particularly well esteemed.” 

Eve held up her pretty hands, and even Mademoiselle Vief- 
ville, usually so well-toned and self-restrained, gave a visible 
shrug. 

“Sir George means in his county,” drily observed John 
EflSngham. 

“ Perhaps the parties would better understand each other,” 
said Paul, coolly, “ were Sir George Templemore to descend to 
particulars. He belongs himself to the liberal school, and may 
be considered a safe witness.” 

“ I shall be compelled to protest against a cross-examination 
on such a subject,” returned the baronet, laughing. “ You will 
be satisfied, I am certain, with my simple declaration. Perhaps 
we still regard the Americans as tant soil peu rebels ; but that 
is a feeling that will soon cease.” 

“ That is precisely the point on which I think liberal English- 
men usually do great justice to America, while it is on other 
points that they betray a national dislike.” 

“ England believes America hostile to herself ; and if love 
creates love, dislike creates dislike.” 

“ This is at least something like admitting the truth of the 
charge. Miss Effingham,” said John Effingham, smiling, “ and 
we may dismiss the accused. It is odd enough that England 
should consider America as rebellious, as is the case with many 
Englishmen, I acknowledge, while, in truth, England herself 
was the rebel, and this, too, in connection with the very ques- 
tions that produced the American revolution.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


447 


“ This is quite new,” said Sir George, “ and I confess some 
curiosity to see how it can be made out.” 

J ohn EflBngham did not hesitate about stating his case. 

In the first place you are to forget professions and names,” 
he said, “ and to look only at facts and things. When Ameri- 
ca was settled, a compact was made, either in the way of char- 
ters or of organic laws, by which all the colonies had distinct 
rights, while, on the other hand, they confessed allegiance to 
the king. But in that age the English monarch was a king. 
He used his veto on the laws, for instance, and otherwise exer- 
cised his prerogatives. Of the two, he influenced parliament 
more than parliament influenced him. In such a state of 
things, countries separated by an ocean might be supposed to 
be governed equitably, the common monarch feeling a common 
parental regard for all his subjects. Perhaps distance might 
render him even more tender of the interest of those who were 
not present to protect themselves.” 

“ This is putting the case loyally, at least,” said Sir George, 
as the other paused for a moment. 

“ It is precisely in that light that I wish to present it. ’ The 
degree of power that parliament possessed over the colonies 
was a disputed point ; but I am willing to allow that parlia- 
ment had all power.” 

“ In doing which, I fear, you will concede all the merits,” 
said Mr. Effingham. 

“ I think not. Parliament then ruled the colonies absolute- 
ly and legally, if you please, under the Stuarts ; but the English 
rebelled against these Stuarts, dethroned them, and gave the 
crown to an entirely new family, — one with only a remote alli- 
ance with the reigning branch. Not satisfied with this, the 
king was curtailed in his authority ; the prince, who might 
with justice be supposed to feel a common interest in all his 
subjects, became a mere machine in the hands of a body who 
represented little more than themselves, in fact, or a mere frag- 
ment of the empire, even in theory ; transferring the control 


448 


homeward bound. 


of the colonial interest from the sovereign himself to a portion 
of his people, and that, too, a small portion. This was no 
longer a government of a prince who felt a parental concern 
for all his subjects, but a government of a clique of his subjects, 
who felt a selfish concern only for their own interests.” 

“ And did the Americans urge this reason for the revolt ?” 
asked Sir George. “ It sounds new to me.” 

“ They quarrelled with the results, rather than with the cause. 
When they found that legislation was to be chiefly in the in- 
terests of England, they took the alarm, and seized their arms, 
without stopping to analyze causes. They probably were mys- 
tified too much with names and professions to see the real 
truth, though they got some noble glimpses of it.” 

“ I have never before heard this case put so strongly,” cried 
Paul Powis, “ and yet I think it contains the whole merit of the 
controversy as a principle.” 

“ It is extraordinary how nationality blinds us,” observed Sir 
George, laughing. “I confess, Powis,” — the late events had 
produced a close intimacy and a sincere regard between these 
two fine young mem, — “ that I stand iu^need of an explanation.” 

“You can conceive of a monarch,” continued John Effing- 
ham, “ who possesses an extensive and efficient power ?” 

“ Beyond doubt ; nothing can be plainer than that.” 

“ Fancy this monarch to fall into the hands of a fragment of 
his subjects, who reduce his authority to a mere profession, and 
begin to wield it for their own especial benefit, no longer leav- 
ing him a free agent, though always using the authority in his 
name.” 

“ Even that is easily imagined.” 

“ History is full of such instances. A part of the subjects, 
unwilling to be the dupes of such a fraud, revolt against the 
monarch in name, against the cabal in fact. Now who are the 
real rebels ? Profession is nothing. Hyder Ally never seated 
himself in the presence of the prince he had deposed, though 
he held him captive duriog life.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


449 


“ But did not America acquiesce in the dethronement of the 
Stuarts ?” asked Eve, in whom the love of the right was stronger 
even than the love of country. 

“ Beyond a doubt, though America neither foresaw nor ac- 
quiesced in all the results. The English themselves, probably, 
did not foresee the consequences of their own revolution ; for 
we now find England almost in arms against the consequences 
of the very subversion of the kingly power of which I have 
spoken. In England it placed a portion of the higher classes 
in possession of authority, at the expense of all the rest of the 
nation ; whereas, as respects America, it set a remote people to 
rule over her, instead of a prince who had the same connection 
with his colonies as with all the rest of his subjects. The late 
English reform is a peaceable revolution ; and America would 
very gladly have done the same thing, could she have extri- 
cated herself from the consequences, by mere acts of congress. 
The whole difference is, that America, pressed upon by peculiar 
circumstances, preceded England in the revolt about sixty years, 
and that this revolt was against an usurper, and not against the 
legitimate monarch, or against the sovereign himself.” 

“ I confess all this is novel to me,” exclaimed Sir George. 

“ I have told you. Sir George Templemore, that, if you stay 
long enough in America, many novel ideas will suggest them- 
selves. You have too much sense to travel through the country 
seeking for petty exceptions that may sustain your aristocratical 
prejudices, or opinions, if you like that better ; but will be dis- 
posed to judge a nation, not according to preconceived notions, 
but according to visible facts.”. 

“ They tell me there is a strong bias to aristocracy in America; 
at least such is the report of most European travellers.” 

“ The report of men who do not refiect closely on the mean- 
ing of words. That there are real aristocrats in opinion in 
America is very true ; there are also a few monarchists, or those 
who fancy themselves monarchists.” 

“ Can a man be deceived on such a point ?” 


450 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Nothing is more easy. He who would set up a king merely 
in name, for instance, is not a monarchist, but a visionary, who 
confounds names with things.” 

“ I see you will not admit of a balance in the state.” 

“ I shall contend that there must be a preponderating au- 
thority in eveiy government, from which it derives its char- 
acter ; and if this be not the king, that government is not a 
real monarchy, let the laws be administered in whose name they 
may. Calling an idol Jupiter does not convert it into a god. I 
question if there be a real monarchist left in the English empire 
at this very moment. They who make the loudest professions 
that way strike me as being the rankest aristocrats, and a real 
. political aristocrat is, and always has been, the most efficient 
enemy of kings.” 

“ But we consider loyalty to the prince as attachment to the 
system.” 

“ That is another matter; for in that you may be right enough, 
though it is ambiguous as to terms.” 

“Sir — gentlemen — Mr. John Effingham, sir,” interrupted 
Saunders, “ Mr. Monday is awake, and so worry conwalescent — 
I fear he will not live long. The ship herself is not so much 
conwerted by these new spars as poor Mr. Monday is conwerted 
since he went to sleep.” 

“ I feared this,” observed John Effingham, rising. “ Acquaint 
Captain Truck with the fact, steward : he desired to be sent for 
at any crisis.” 

He then quitted the cabin, leaving the rest of the party 
wondering that they could have been already so lost to the 
situation of one of their late companions, however different 
from themselves he might be in opinions and character. But 
in this they merely showed their common connection with all 
the rest of the great family of man, who uniformly forget sor- 
rows that do not press too hard on self, in the reaction of their 
feelings. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


451 


CHAPTER XXX. 

“ Watchman, what of the night ? Watchman, what of the night ?” 

Isaiah. 

The principal hurt of Mr. Monday was one of those wounds 
that usually produce death within eight-and-forty hours. He 
had borne the pain with resolution ; and, as yet, had discovered 
no consciousness of the imminent danger that was so apparent 
to all around him. But a film had suddenly past from before 
his senses ; and, a man of mere habits, prejudices, and animal 
enjoyments, he had awakened at the very termination of his 
brief existence to something like a consciousness of his true 
position in the moral world, as well as of his real physical 
condition. Under the first impulse of such an alarm, John 
Effingham had been sent for ; and he, as has been seen, or- 
dered Captain Truck to be summoned. In consequence of the 
previous understanding, these two gentlemen and Mr. Leach 
appeared at the stateroom door at the same instant. The 
apartment being small, it was arranged between them that the 
former should enter first, having been expressly sent for ; and 
that the others should be introduced at the pleasure of the 
wounded man. 

“ I have brought my Bible, Mr. Leach,” said the captain 
when he and the mate were left alone, “ for a chapter is the 
very least we can give a cabin-passenger, though I am a little 
at a loss to know what particular passage will be the most 
suitable for the occasion. Something from the book of Kings 


452 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


would be likely to suit Mr. Monday, as be is a tborougb-going 
king’s man.” 

“ It is so long since I read that particular book, sir,” returned 
tbe mate, diligently thumbing his watch-key, “ that I should be 
diffident about expressing an opinion. I think, however, a little 
Bible might do him good.” 

“ It is not an easy matter to hit a conscience exactly between 
wind and water. I once thought of producing an impression 
on the ship’‘s company by reading the account of Jonah and 
the whale as a subject likely to attract their attention, and to 
show them the hazards we seamen run ; but, in the end, I dis- 
covered that the narration struck them all aback as a thing not 
likely to be true. Jack can stand any thing but a fish story, 
you know, Leach.” 

“ It is always better to keep clear of miracles at sea, I believe, 
sir, when the people are to be spoken to : I saw some of the 
men this evening wince about that ship of St. Paul’s carrying 
out anchors in a gale.” 

“ The graceless rascals ought to be thankful they are not at 
this very moment trotting through the great desert lashed to 
dromedaries’ tails ! Had I known that, Leach, I would have 
read the verse twice. But Mr. Monday is altogether a dilfer- 
ent man, and will listen to reason. There is the story of 
Absalom, which is quite interesting ; and perhaps the account 
of the battle might be suitable for one who dies in consequence 
of a battle ; but, on the whole, I remember my worthy old 
father used to say that a sinner ought to be well shaken up at 
such a moment.” 

“ I fancy, sir, Mr. Monday has been a reasonably steady man, 
as the world goes. Seeing that he is a passenger, I should try 
and ease him ofi* handsomely, and without any of these Metho- 
dist surges.” 

“ You may be right, Leach, you may be right ; do as you 
would be done by, is the golden rule after all. But, here comes 
Mr. John Effingham ; so I fancy we may enter.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


453 


The captain was not mistaken, for Mr. Monday had just taken 
a restorative, and had expressed a desire to see the two offi- 
cers. The stateroom was a small, neat, and even beautifully 
finished apartment, about seven feet square. It had originally 
been fitted with two berths ; but, previously to taking posses- 
sion of the place, John Effingham had caused the carpenter to 
remove the upper, and Mr. Monday now lay in what had been 
the lower bed. This situation placed him below his attendant, 
and in a position where he might be the more easily assisted. 
A shaded lamp lighted the room, by means of which the cap- 
tain caught the anxious expression of the dying man’s eye, as 
he took a seat himself. 

“ I am grieved to see you in this state, Mr. Monday,” said 
the master, “ and this all the more since it has happened in 
consequence of your bravery in fighting to regain my ship. 
By rights this accident ought to have befallen one of the Mon- 
tauk’s people, or Mr. Leach, here, or even myself, before it befell 
you.” 

Mr. Monday looked at the speaker as if the intended conso- 
lation had failed of its eflect, and the captain began to suspect 
that he should find a difficult subject for his new ministrations. 
By way of gaining time, he thrust an elbow into the mate’s 
side as a hint that it was now his turn to offer something. 

“ It might have been worse, Mr. Monday,” observed Leach, 
shifting his attitude like a man whose moral and physical action 
moved p^ri passu : “ it might have been much worse. I once 
saw a man shot in the under jaw, and he lived a fortnight with- 
out any sort of nourishment !” 

Still Mr. Monday gazed at the mate as if he thought matters 
could not be much worse. 

“ That was a hard case,” put in the captain ; “ why, the poor 
fellow had no opportunity to recover without victuals.” 

“No, sir, nor any drink. He never swallowed a mouthful of 
liquor of any sort from the time he was hit, until he took the 
plunge when we threw him overboard.” 


454 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Perhaps there is truth in the saying that “ misery loves com- 
pany,” for the eye of Mr. Monday turned towards the table on 
which the bottle of cordial still stood, and from which John 
Effingham had just before helped him to a swallow, under the 
impression that it was of no moment what he took. The cap- 
tain understood the appeal, and influenced by the same opinion 
concerning the hopelessness of the patient’s condition, besides 
being kindly anxious to console him, he poured out a small 
glass, all of which he permitted the other to drink. The effect 
was instantaneous, for it would seem this treacherous friend is 
ever ready to produce a momentary pleasure as a poor com- 
pensation for its lasting pains. 

“ I don’t feel so bad, gentlemen,” returned the wounded 
man, with a force of voice that startled his visitors. “ I feel 
better — much better, and am very glad to see you. Captain 
Truck, I have the honor to drink your health.” 

The captain looked at the mate as if he thought their visit 
was twenty-four hours too soon, for live, all felt sure, Mr. Mon- 
day could not. But Leach, better placed to observe the coun- 
tenance of the patient, whispered his commander that it was 
merely “ a catspaw, and will not stand.” 

“ I am very glad to see you both, gentlemen,” continued 
Mr. Monday, “ and beg you to help yourselves.” 

The captain changed his tactics. Finding his patient so 
strong and cheerful, he thought consolation would be more 
easily received just at that moment, than it might be even half 
an hour later. 

“We are all mortal, Mr. Monday — ” 

“ Yes, sir ; all very mortal.” 

“ And even the strongest and boldest ought occasionally to 
think of their end.” 

“ Quite true, sir ; quite true. The strongest and boldest. 
When do you think we shall get in, gentlemen ?” 

Captain Truck afterwards affirmed that he was “ never before 
taken so flat aback by a question as by this.” Still he extri- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


455 


cated himself from the dilemma with dexterity, the spirit of 
proselytism apparently arising within him in proportion as the 
other manifested indifference to his offices. 

“ There is a port to which we are all steering, my dear sir,” 
he said ; “ and of which we ought always to bear in mind the 
landmarks and beacons, and that port is Heaven.” 

“ Yes,” added Mr. Leach, “ a port that, sooner or later, will 
fetch us all up.” 

Mr. Monday gazed from one to the other, and something like 
the state of feeling from which he had been aroused by the 
cordial, began to return. 

“ Do you think me so bad, gentlemen ?” he inquired, with a 
little of the eagerness of a startled man. 

“ As bad as one bound direct to so good a place as I hope 
and trust is the case with you, can be,” returned the captain, 
determined to follow up the advantage he had gained. “ Your 
wound, we fear, is mortal, and people seldom remain long in this 
wicked world with such sort of hurts.” 

“ If he stands that,” thought the captain, “ I shall turn him 
over, at once, to Mr. Effingham.” 

Mr. Monday did not stand it. The illusion produced by 
the liquor, although the latter still sustained his pulses, had 
begun to evaporate, and the melancholy truth resumed its 
power. 

“ I believe, indeed, that I am near my end, gentlemen,” he 
said faintly ; “ and am thankful — for — for this consolation.” 

“ Now will be a good time to throw in the chapter,” whisper- 
ed Leach ; “ he seems quite conscious, and very contrite.” 

Captain Truck, in pure despair, and conscious of his own 
want of judgment, had determined to leave the question of the 
selection of this chapter to be decided by chance. Perhaps a 
little of that mysterious dependence on Providence, which 
renders all men more or less superstitious, influenced him ; and 
that he hoped a wisdom surpassing his own might direct him 
to a choice. Fortunately, the Book of Psalms is near the 


466 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


middle of the sacred volume, and a better disposition of this 
sublime repository of pious praise and spiritual wisdom could 
not have been made ; for the chance-directed peruser of the 
Bible will perhaps oftener open among its pages than at any 
other place. 

If we should say that Mr. Monday felt any very profound 
spiritual relief from the reading of Captain Truck, we should 
both overrate the manner of the honest sailor, and the intelli- 
gence of the dying man. Still the solemn language of praise 
and admonition had an effect, and, for the first time since child- 
hood, the soul of the latter was moved. God and judgment 
passed before his imagination, and he gasped for breath in a 
way that induced the two seamen to suppose the fatal moment 
had come, even sooner than they expected. The cold sweat 
stood upon the forehead of the patient, and his eyes glared 
wildly from one to the other. The paroxysm, however, was 
transient, and he soon settled down into a state of comparative 
calmness, pushing away the glass that Captain Truck offered, 
in mistaken kindness, with a manner of loathing. 

“We must comfort him, Leach,” whispered the captain ; 
“ for I see he is fetching up in the old way, as was duly laid 
down by our ancestors in the platform. First, groanings and 
views of the devil, and then consolation and hope. W'e have 
got him into the first category, and we ought now, in justice, to 
bring-to, and heave a strain to help him through it.” 

“They generally -give ’em prayer, in the river, in this stage 
of the attack,” said Leach. “ If you can remember a short 
prayer, sir, it might ease him off.” 

Captain Truck and his mate, notwithstanding the quaintness 
of thejr thoughts and language, were themselves solemnly im- 
pressed with the scene, and actuated by the kindest motives. 
Nothing of levity mingled with their notions, but they felt the 
responsibility of otficers of a packet, besides entertaining a 
generous interest in the fate of a stranger who had fallen, fight- 
ing manfully at their side. The old man looked awkwardly 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


45V 


about him, turned the key of the door, wiped his eyes, gazed 
wistfully at the patient, gave his mate a nudge with his elbow 
to follow his example, and knelt down with a heart momentarily 
as devout as is often the case with those who minister at the 
altar. He retained the words of the Lord’s Prayer, and these 
he repeated aloud, distinctly, and with fervor, though not with 
a literal conformity to the text. Once Mr. Leach had to help 
him to the word. When he rose, the perspiration stood on his 
forehead, as if he had been engaged in severe toil. 

Perhaps nothing could have occurred more likely to strike 
the imagination of Mr. Monday, than to see one, of the known 
character and habits of Captain Truck, thus wrestling with the 
Lord in his own behalf. Always obtuse and dull of thought, 
the first impression was that of wonder ; awe and contrition 
followed. Even the mate was touched, and he afterwards told 
his companion on deck, that “ the hai’dest day’s work he had 
ever done, was lending a hand to rouse the captain through that 
prayer.” 

“ I thank you, sir,” gasped Mr. Monday, “ I thank you — Mr. 
John Efiingham — now, let me see Mr. John Effingham. I have 
no time to lose, and wish to see Am.” 

The captain rose to comply, with the feelings of a man who 
had done his duty, and, from that moment, he had a secret 
satisfaction at having so manfully acquitted himself. Indeed, 
it has been remarked by those who have listened to his whole 
narrative of the passage, that he invariably lays more stress on 
the scene in the stateroom, than on the readiness and skill with 
which he repaired the damages sustained by his own ship, 
through the means obtained from the Dane, or the spirit with 
which he retook her from the Arabs. 

John Effingham appeared in the stateroom, where the cap- 
tain and Mr. Leach left him alone with the patient. Like all 
strong-minded men, who are conscious of their superiority over 
the rest of their fellow creatures, this gentleman felt disposed 
to concede most to those who were the least able to contend 

30 


458 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


with him. Habitually sarcastic and stern, and sometimes for- 
bidding, he was now mild and discreet. He saw, at a glance, 
that Mr. Monday’s mind was alive to novel feelings ; and aware 
that the appi'oach of death frequently removes moral clouds 
that have concealed the powers of the spirit while the animal 
part of the being was in full vigor, he was surprised at observ- 
ing the sudden change that was so apparent in the countenance 
of the dying man. 

“ I believe, sir, I have been a great sinner,” commenced Mr. 
Monday, who spoke more feebly as the influence of the cordial 
evaporated, and in short and broken sentences. 

“ In that you share the lot of all,” returned John Efiingham. 
“ We are taught that no man of himself, no unaided soul, is 
competent to its own salvation. Christians look to the Re- 
deemer for succor.” 

“ I believe I understand you, but I am a business man, sir, 
and have been taught that reparation is the best atonement for 
a wrong.” 

“ It certainly should be the first'' 

“ Yes, indeed it should, sir. I am but the son of poor parents, 
and may have been tempted to some things that are improper. 
My mother, too, I was her only support. Well, the Lord will 
pardon it, if it were wrong, as I dare say it might have been. 
I think I should have drunk less and thought more, but for this 
affair — perhaps it is not yet too late.” 

John Effingharn listened with surprise, but with the coolness 
and sagacity that marked his character. He saw the necessity, 
or at least the prudence, of there being another witness present. 
Taking advantage of the exhaustion of the speaker, he stepped 
to the door of Eve’s cabin, and signed Paul to follow him. 
They entered the stateroom together, when John Efiingham 
took Mr. Monday soothingly by the hand, offering him a nour- 
ishment less exciting than the cordial, but which had the effect 
to revive him. 

“ I understand you, sir,” continued Mr. Monday, looking at 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


459 


Paul ; “ it is all very proper ; but I have little to say — the 
papers will explain it all. Those keys, sir — the upper drawer 
of the bureau, and the red morocco case — take it all — this is 
the key. I have kept every thing together, from a misgiving 
that an hour would come. In New York you will have time 
—it is not yet too late.” ^ 

As the wounded man spoke at intervals, and with difficulty, 
John Effingham had complied with his directions before he 
ceased. He found the red morocco case, took the key from 
the ring, and showed both to Mr. Monday, who smiled and 
nodded approbation. The bureau contained paper, wax, and 
all the other appliances of writing. John Effingham inclosed 
the case in a strong envelope, and affixed to it three seals, 
which he impressed with his own arms ; he then asked Paul 
for his watch, that the same might be done with the seal of his 
companion. After this precaution, he wrote a brief declaration 
that the contents had been delivered to the two, for the purpose 
of examination, and for the benefit of the parties concerned, 
whoever they might be, and signed it. Paul did the same, and 
the paper was handed to Mr. Monday, who had still strength 
to add his own signature. 

“ Men do not usually trifle at such moments,” said John 
Effingham, “ and this case may contain matter of moment to 
wronged and innocent persons. The world little knows the ex- 
tent of the enormities that are thus committed. Take the case, 
Mr. Powis, and lock it up with your effects, until the moment 
for the examination shall come.” 

Mr. Monday was certainly much relieved after this consign- 
ment of the case into safe hands, trifles satisfying the compunc- 
tions of the obtuse. For more than an hour he slumbered. Dur- 
ing this interval of rest. Captain Truck appeared at the door of 
the stateroom to inquire into the condition of the patient, and, 
hearing a report so favorable, in common with all whose duty 
did not require them to watch, he retired to rest. Paul had 
also returned, and offered his services, as indeed did most of the 


460 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


gentlemen ; but John Effingham dismissed his own servant 
even, and declared it was his intention not to quit the place 
that night. Mr. Monday had reposed confidence in him, ap- 
peared to be gratified by his attentions and presence, and he 
felt it to be a sort of duty, under such circumstances, not to 
desert a fellow-creature in his extremity. Any thing beyond 
some slight alleviation of the sufferer’s pains was hopeless ; but 
this, he rightly believed, he was as capable of administering as 
another. 

Death is appalhng to those of the most iron nerves, when it 
comes quietly and in the stillness and solitude of night. John 
Effingham was such a man ; but he felt all the peculiarity of 
his situation as he sat alone in the stateroom by the side of Mr. 
Monday, listening to the washing of the waters that the ship 
shoved aside, and to the unquiet breathing of his patient. Seve- 
ral times he felt a disposition to steal away for a few minutes, 
and to refresh himself by exercise in the pure air of the ocean ; 
but as often was the inclination checked by jealous glances 
from the glazed eye of the dying man, who appeared to cherish 
his presence as his own last hope of life. When John Effing- 
ham wetted his feverish lips, the look he received spoke of 
gratitude and thanks, and once or twice these feelings were 
audible in whispers. He could not desert a being so helpless, 
so dependent ; and, although conscious that he was of no ma- 
terial service beyond sustaining his patient by his presence, he 
felt that this was sufficient to exact much heavier sacrifices. 

During one of the troubled slumbers of the dying man, his 
attendant sat watching the struggles of his countenance, which 
seemed to betray the workings of the soul that was about to 
quit its tenement, and he mused on the character and fate of 
the being whose departure for the world of spirits he himself 
was so singularly called on to witness. 

“ Of his origin I know nothing,” thought John Effingham, 
“ except by his own passing declarations, and the evident fact, 
that, as regards station, it can scarcely have reached mediocri- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


461 


ty. He is one of those who appear to live for the most vulgar 
motives that are aidmissible among men of any culture, and 
whose refinement, such as it is, is purely of the conventional 
class of habits. Ignorant, beyond the current opinions of a 
set ; prejudiced in all that relates to nations, religions, and 
characters ; wily, with an air of blustering honesty ; credulous 
and intolerant; bold in denunciations and critical remarks, 
without a spark of discrimination, or any knowledge but that 
which has been acquired under a designing dictation ; as in- 
capable of generalizing as he is obstinate in trifles; good- 
humored by nature, and yet querulous fi’om imitation : — for 
what purposes was such a creature brought into existence to 
be hurried out of it in this eventful manner The conversa- 
tion of the evening recurred to John Eflfingham, and he in- 
wardly said, “ If there exists such varieties of the human race 
among nations, there are certainly as many species, in a moral 
sense, in civilized life itself. This man has his counterpart in 
a particular feature in the every-day American absorbed in the 
pursuit of gain ; and yet how widely different are the two in 
the minor points of character ! While the other allows him- 
self no rest, no relaxation, no mitigation of the eternal gnawing 
of the vulture rapacity, this man has made self-indulgence the 
constant companion of his toil ; while the other has centered 
all his pleasures in gain, this Englishman, with the same object 
in view, but obedient to national usages, has fancied he has 
been alleviating his labors by sensual enjoyments. In what 
will their ends differ? From the eyes of the American the 
veil will be torn aside when it is too late, perhaps, and the ob- 
ject of his earthly pursuit will be made the instrument of his 
punishment, as he sees himself compelled to quit it all for the 
dark uncertainty of the grave ; while the blusterer and the 
bottle-companion sinks into a forced and appalled repentance, 
as the animal that has hitherto upheld him loses its ascend- 
ency.” 

A groan from Mr. Monday, who now opened his glassy eyes, 


462 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


interrupted these musings. The patient signed for the nourish- 
ment, and he revived a little. 

“ What is the day of the week ?” he asked, with an anxiety 
that surprised his kind attendant. 

“ It is, or rather it was^ Monday ; for we are now past mid- 
night.” 

“ I am glad of it, sir — very glad of it.” 

“ Why should the day of the week be of consequence to you 
now ?” 

“ There is a saying, sir — I have faith in sayings — they told 
me I was born of a Monday, and should die of a Monday.” 

The other was shocked at this evidence of a lingering and 
abject superstition in one who could not probably survive many 
hours, and he spoke to him of the Saviour, and of his mediation 
for man. All this could John Effingham do at need ; and he 
could do it well, too, for few had clearer perceptions of this 
state of probation than himself. His weak point was in the 
pride and strength of his character ; qualities that indisposed 
him in his own practice to rely on any but himself, under the 
very circumstances which would impress on others the neces- 
sity of relying solely on God. The dying man heard him at- 
tentively, and the words made a momentary impression. 

“ I do not wish to die, sir,” Mr. Monday said suddenly, after 
a long pause. 

“ It is the general fate ; when the moment arrives, we ought 
to prepare ourselves to meet it.” 

“ I am no coward, Mr. Effingham.” 

“ In one sense I know you are not, for I have seen you 
proved. I hope you will not be one in any sense. You are 
now in a situation in which manhood will avail you nothing : 
your dependence should be placed altogether on God.” 

“ I know it, sir — I try to feel thus ; but I do not wish to 
die.” 

“The love of Christ is illimitable,” said John Effingham, 
powerfully affected by the other’s hopeless misery. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


463 


“ I know it — I hope it — I wish to believe it. Have you a 
mother, Mr. Effingham ?” 

“ She has been dead many years.” 

“A wife?” 

John Effingham gasped for breath, and one might have mis- 
taken him, at the moment, for the sufferer. 

“None : I am without parent, brother, sister, wife, or child. 
My nearest relatives are in this ship.” 

“ I am of little value ; but, such as I am, my mother will miss 
me. We can have but one mother, sir.” 

“ This is very true. If you have any commission or message 
for your mother, Mr. Monday, I shall have great satisfaction in 
attending to your wishes.” 

“ I thank you, sir ; I know of none. She has her notions on 
religion, and — I think it would lessen her sorrow to hear that 
I had a Christian burial.” 

“ Set your heart at rest on that subject : all that our situa- 
tion will allow, shall be done.” 

“ Of what account will it all be, Mr. Effingham ? I wish I 
had drunk less, and thought more.” 

John Effingham could say nothing to a compunction that 
was so necessary, though so tardy. 

“ I fear we think too little of this moment in our health and 
strength, sir.” 

“The greater the necessity, Mr. Monday, of turning our 
thoughts towards that divine mediation which alone can avail 
us, while there is yet opportunity.” 

But Mr. Monday was startled by the near approach of death, 
rather than repentant. He had indurated his feelings by the 
long and continued practice of a deadening self-indulgence, 
and he was now like a man who unexpectedly finds himself in 
the presence of an imminent and overwhelming dangei’, without 
any visible means of mitigation or escape. He groaned and 
looked around him, as if he sought something to cling to, the 
spirit he had shown in the pride of his strength availing noth- 


464 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ing. All these, however, were but passing emotions, and the 
natural obtusity of the man returned. 

“ I do not think, sir,” he said, gazing intently at John Effing- 
ham, “ that I have been a very great sinner.” 

“I hope not, my good friend; yet none of us are so free 
from spot as not to require the aid of God to fit us for his 
holy presence.” 

“ Very true, sir — very true, sir. I was duly baptized and 
properly confirmed.” 

“Offices which are but pledges that we are expected to redeem.” 

“ By a regular priest and bishop, sir ; — orthodox and digni- 
fied clergymen !” 

“No doubt: England wants none of the forms of religion. 
But the contrite heart, Mr. Monday, will be sure to meet with 
mercy.” 

“ I feel contrite, sir ; very contrite.” 

A pause of half an hour succeeded, and John Effingham 
thought at first that his patient had again slumbered; but, 
looking more closely at his situation, he perceived that his 
eyes often opened and wandered over objects near him. Un- 
willing to disturb this apparent tranquillity, the minutes were 
permitted to pass away uninterrupted, until Mr. Monday spoke 
again of his own accord. 

“ Mr. Effingham — sir — Mr. Effingham,” said the dying man. 

“ I am near you, Mr. Monday, and will not leave the room.” 

“ Bless you, bless you, do not you desert me !” 

“ I shall remain : set your heart at rest> and let me know 
your wants.” 

“ I want life, sir.” 

“ That is the gift of God, and its possession depends solely on 
his pleasure. Ask pardon for your sins, and remember the 
mercy and love of the blessed Redeemer.” 

“ I try, sir. I do not think I have been a very great sinner.” 

“ I hope not : but God can pardon the penitent, however 
great their offences.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


465 


“Yes, sir, I know it — I know it. This affair has been so 
unexpected. I have even been at the communion-table, sir ; 
yes, my mother made me commune. Nothing was neglected, 
sir.” 

John Effingham was often proud and self-willed in his com- 
munications with men, the inferiority of most of his fellow- 
creatures to himself, in principles as well as mind, being too 
plainly apparent not to influence the opinions of one who did 
not too closely study his own failings ; but, as respects God, he 
was habitually reverent and meek. Spiritual pride formed no 
part of his character, for he felt his own deficiency in the 
Chiistian qualities, the main defect aiising more from a habit 
of regarding the infirmities of others than from dwelling too 
much on his own merits. In comparing himself with perfec- 
tion, no one could be more humble ; but in limiting the com- 
parison to those around him, few were prouder, or few more 
justly so, were it permitted to make such a comparison at all. 
Prayer with him was not habitual, or always well ordered, but 
he was not ashamed to pray ; and when he did bow down his 
spirit in this manner, it was with the force, comprehensiv( iiess, 
and energy of his character. He was now moved by the feeble 
and common-place consolations that Mr. Monday endeavored to 
extract from his situation. He saw the peculiarly deluding and 
cruel substitution of forms for the substance of piety that dis- 
tinguishes the policy of all established churches, though, un- 
like many of his own countrymen, his mind was superior to 
those narrow exaggerations that, on the other hand, too often 
convert innocence into sin, and puff up the votary with the con- 
ceit of a sectarian and his self-righteousness. 

“ I will pray with you, Mr. Monday,” he said, kneeling at the 
side of the dying man’s bed : “ we will ask mercy of God to- 
gether, and he may lessen these doubts.” 

Mr. Monday made a sign of eager assent, and John Effing- 
ham prayed in a voice that was distinctly audible to the other. 
The petition was short, beautiful, and even lofty in language, 

20 ^ 


466 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


without a particle of Scripture jargon, or of the cant of pro- 
fessed devotees; but it was a fervent, direct, comprehensive, 
and humble appeal to the Deity for mercy on the being who 
now found himself in extremity. A child might have under- 
stood it, while the heart of a man would have melted with its 
affecting and meek sincenty. It is to be hoped that the Great 
Being, whose Spirit pervades the universe, and whose clemency 
is commensurate with his power, also admitted the force of the 
petition, for Mr. Monday smiled with pleasure when John 
Effingham arose. 

“ Thank you, sir — a thousand thanks,” muttered the dying 
man, pressing the hand of the other. “ This is better than all.” 

After this Mr. Monday was easier, and hours passed away in 
nearly a continued silence. John Effingham was now convinced 
that his patient slumbered, and he allowed himself to fall into a 
doze. It was after the morning watch was called, that he was 
aroused by a movement in the berth. Believing his patient re- 
quired nourishment, or some fluid to moisten his lips, John 
Effingham oflPered both, but they were declined. Mr. Monday 
had clasped his hands on his breast, with the Angers upper- 
most, as painters and sculptors are apt to delineate them when 
they represent saints in the act of addressing the Deity, and his 
lips moved, though the words were whispered. John Effing- 
ham kneeled, and placed his ear so close as to catch the sounds. 
His patient was uttering the simple but beautiful petition trans- 
mitted by Christ himself to man, as the model of all prayer. 

As soon as the other had done, John Effingham repeated 
the same prayer fervently and aloud himself, and when he 
opened his eyes, after this solemn homage to God, Mr. Monday 
was dead. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


467 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


“ Let me alone dost thou use to write 
Thy name ? or hast thou a mark to thyself like an 
Honest, plain-dealing man 

Jack Cade. 

At a later hour, the body of the deceased was consigned to 
the ocean with the forms that had been observed the previous 
night at the burial of the seaman. These two ceremonies were 
sad remembrancers of the scene the travellers had passed 
through ; and, for many days, the melancholy that they natu- 
rally excited pervaded the ship. But, as no one connected by 
blood with any of the living had fallen, and it is not the dispo- 
sition of men to mourn always, this feeling gradually subsided, 
and at the end of three weeks the deaths had lost most of their 
influence, or were recalled only at moments by those who 
thought it wise to dwell on such solemn subjects. 

Captain Truck had regained his spirits ; for, if he felt morti- 
fied at the extraordinary difficulties and dangers that had be- 
fallen his ship, he also felt proud of the manner in which he 
had extricated himself from them. As for the mates and crew, 
they had already returned to their ordinary habits of toil and 
fun, the accidents of life making but brief and superficial im- 
pressions on natures accustomed ^o vicissitudes and losses. 

Mr. Dodge appeared to be nearly forgotten during the first 
week after the ship succeeded in effecting her escape ; for he 
had the sagacity to keep himself in the background, in the 
hope that all connected with himself might be overlooked in 
the hurry and excitement of events. At the end of that period, 


468 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


however, he resumed his intrigues, and was soon actively en- 
gaged in endeavoring to get up a “ public opinion,” by means 
of which he proposed to himself to obtain some reputation for 
spirit and courage. With what success this deeply-laid scheme 
was likely to meet, as well as the more familiar condition of 
the cabins, may be gathered by a conversation that took place 
in the pantry, where Saunders and Toast were preparing the 
hot punch for the last of the Saturday nights that Captain 
Truck expected to be at sea. This discourse was held while 
the few who chose to join in jollification that peculiarly recall- 
ed the recollection of Mr. Monday, were slowly assembling 
round the great table at the urgent request of the master. 

“Well, I must say, Mr. Toast,” the steward commenced, as 
he kept stirring the punch, “ that I am werry much rejoiced 
Captain Truck has resuscertated his old nature, and remembers 
the festivals and fasts, as is becoming the master of a liner. I 
can see no good reason because a ship is under jury-masts, that 
the passengers should forego their natural rest and diet. Mr. 
Monday made a good end, they say, and he had as handsome a 
burial as I ever laid eyes on at sea. I don’t think his own 
friends could have interred him more eflBcaciously, or more 
piously, had he been on shore.” 

“ It is something, Mr. Saunders, to be able to reflect before- 
hand on the respectable funeral that your friends have just 
given you. There is a great gratification to contemplate on 
such an event.” 

“ You improve in language. Toast, that I wiU allow ; but you 
sometimes get the words a little wrong. We suspect before a 
thing recurs, and reflect on it after it has ewentuated. You 
might have suspected the death of poor Mr. Monday after he 
was wounded, and reflected on it after he was interred in the 
water. I agree with you that it is consoling to know we have 
our funeral rights properly delineated. Talking of the battle, 
Mr. Toast, I shall take this occasion to express to you the high 
opinion I entertain of your own good conduct. I was a little 


HOMEWARD BOUND, 


469 


afraid you might injure Captain Truck in the conflict ; but, so 
far as I have ascertained, on close inwestigation, you hurt no- 
body. We colored people have some prejudices against us, 
and I always rejoice when I meet with one who assists to put 
them down by his own con duck.” 

“ They say Mr. Dodge didn’t do much harm, either,” return- 
ed Toast. “ For my part, I saw nothing of him after I opened 
my eyes ; though I don’t think I ever stared about me so much 
in my life.” 

Saunders laid a finger on his nose, and shook his head sig- 
nificantly. 

“ You may speak to me with confidence and mistrust. Toast,” 
he said, “ for we are friends of the same color, besides being 
oflScers in the same pantry. Has Mr. Dodge conwersed with 
you concerninio: the ewents of those two or three werry ewent- 
ful days?” 

“He has insinevated considerable, Mr. Saunders; though I 
do not think Mr. Dodge is ever a werry free talker.” 

“ Has he surgested the propriety of having an account of 
the whole affair made out by the people, and sustained by affi- 
davits ?” 

“ Well, sir, I imagine he has. At all ewents, he has been 
much on the forecastle lately, endeavoring to persuade the 
people that they retook the ship, and that the passengers were 
so many encumbrancers in the affair.” 

“ And, are the people such non composses as to believe him. 
Toast?” 

“ Why, sir, it is agreeable to humanity to think well of our- 
selves. I do not say that anybody actually believes this ; but, 
in my poor judgment, Mr. Saunders, there are men in the ship 
that would find \% pleasant to believe it, if they could.” 

“ Werry true ; for that is natural. Your hint. Toast, has en- 
lightened my mind on a little obscurity that has lately prewail- 
ed over my conceptions. There are Johnson, and Briggs, and 
Hewson, three of the greatest skulks in the ship, the only men 


470 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


who prewaricated in the least, so much as by a cold look, in the 
fight ; and these three n^en have told me that Mr. Dodge was 
the person who had the gun put on the box ; and that he druv 
the Arabs upon the raft. Now, I say, no men with their eyes 
open could have made such a mistake, except they made it on 
purpose. Do you corroborate or contrawerse this statement, 
Toast?” 

“ I contrawerse it, sir ; for in my poor judgment it was Mr. 
Blunt.” 

“ I am glad we are of the same opinion. I shall say nothing 
till the proper moment arrives, and then I shall exhibit my sen- 
timents, Mr. Toast, without recrimination or anxiety, for truth 
is truth.” 

“ I am happy to observe that the ladies are quite relaxed 
from their melancholy, and that they now seem to enjoy them- 
selves ostensibly.” 

Saunders threw a look of envy at his subordinate, whose 
progress in refinement really alarmed his own sense of supe- 
riority ; but, suppressing the jealous feeling, he replied with 
dignity — 

“The remark is quite' just, Mr. Toast, and denotes penetra- 
tion. I am always rejoiced when I perceive you elewating your 
thoughts to superior objects, for the honor of the color.” 

“ Mister Saunders !” called out the captain from his seat in 
the armchair, at the head of the table. 

“ Captain Truck, sir.” 

“ Let us taste your liquors.” 

This was the signal that the Saturday-night was about to 
commence, and the ofiScers of the pantry presented their com- 
pounds in good earnest. On this occasion the ladies had quiet- 
ly, but firmly declined being present, but the earnest appeals of 
the well-meaning captain had overcome the scruples of the gen- 
tlemen, all of whom, to avoid the appearance of disrespect to 
his wishes, had consented to appear. 

“ This is the last Saturday night, gentlemen, that I shall 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


471 


probably ever have the honor of passing in your good com- 
pany,” said Captain Truck, as he disposed of the pitchers and 
glasses before him, so that he had a perfect command of the 
appliances of the occasion, “ and I feel it to be a gratification 
with which I would not willingly dispense. We are now to 
the westward of the Gulf, and, according to my observations 
and calculations, within a hundred miles of Sandy Hook, 
which, with this mild southwest wind, and our weatherly posi- 
tion, I hope to be able to show you some time about eight 
o’clock to-morrow morning. Quicker passages have been 
made certainly, but forty days, after all, is no great matter for 
the westerly run, considering that we have had a look at Africa, 
and are walking on crutches.” 

“We owe a great deal to the trades,” observed Mr. Effing- 
ham ; “ which have treated us as kindly towards the end of the 
passage, as they seemed reluctant, to join us in the commence- 
ment. It has been a momentous month, and I hope we shall 
all retain healthful recollections of-it as long as we live.” 

“No one will retain as grateful recollections of it as myself, 
gentlemen,” resumed the captain. “You had no agency in 
getting us into the scrape, but the greatest possible agency in 
getting us out of it. Without the knowledge, prudence, and 
courage that you have all displayed, God knows what would 
have become of the poor Montauk, and from the bottom of my 
heart I thank you, each and all, while I have the heartfelt sat- 
isfaction of seeing you around me, and of drinking to your fu- 
ture health, happiness, and prosperity.” 

The passengers acknowledged their thanks in return, by 
bows, among which that of Mr. Dodge was the most elaborate 
and conspicuous. The honest captain was too much touched, 
to observe this little piece of audacity, but, at that moment, he 
could have taken even Mr. Dodge in his arms and pressed him 
to his heart. 

“ Com$, gentlemen,” he continued ; let us fill, and do honor 
to the night. God has us all in his holy keeping, and we drift 


472 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


about in the squalls of life, pretty much as he orders the wind 
to blow. ‘Sweethearts and wives!’ and, Mr. Effingham, we 
will not forget beautiful, spirited, sensible, and charming 
daughters.” 

After this piece of nautical gallantry, the glass began to cir- 
culate. The captain. Sir George Templemore — as the false 
baronet was still called in the cabin, and believed to be by all 
but those who belonged to the coterie of Eve — and Mr. Dodge, 
indulged freely, though the first was too careful of the reputa- 
tion of his ship, to forget that he was on the American coast in 
November. The others partook more sparingly, though even 
they submitted in a slight degree to the influence of good cheer, 
and for the first time since their escape, the laugh was heard in 
the cabin as was wont before to be the case. An hour of such 
indulgence produced again some of the freedom and ease which 
mark the associations of a ship, after the ice is fairly broken, 
and even Mr. Dodge began to be tolerated. This person, not- 
withstanding his conduct on the occasion of the battle, had 
contrived to maintain his ground with the spurious baronet, by 
dint of assiduity and flattery, while the others had rather felt 
pity than aversion, on account of his abject cowardice. The 
gentlemen did not mention his desertion at the critical mo- 
ment (though Mr. Dodge never forgave those who witnessed 
it), for they looked upon his conduct as the result of a natural 
and unconquerable infirmity, that rendered him as much the 
subject of compassion as of reproach. Encouraged by this for- 
bearance, and mistaking its motives, he had begun to hope his 
absence had not been detected in the confusion of the fight, 
and he had even carried his audacity so far, as to make an at- 
tempt to persuade Mr. Sharp that he had actually been one of 
those who went in the launch of the Dane, to bring down the 
other boat and raft to the reef, after the ship had been recap- 
tured. It is true, in this attempt, he had met with a cold re- 
pulse, but it was so gentlemanlike and distant, that he had still 
hopes of succeeding in persuading the other to believe what 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


473 


he affirmed ; by way of doing which, he endeavored all he 
could to believe it himself. So much confusion existed in his 
own faculties during the fray, that Mr. Dodge was fain to fancy 
others also might not have been able to distinguish things very 
accurately. 

Under the influence of these feelings. Captain Truck, when 
the glass had circulated a little freely, called on the Editor of 
the Active Inquirer to favor the company with some more ex- 
tracts from his journal. Little persuasion was necessary, and 
Mr. Dodge went into his stateroom to bring forth the valuable 
records of his observations and opinions, with a conviction that 
all was forgotten, and that he was once more about to resume 
his proper place in the social relations of the ship. As for 
the four gentlemen who had been over the ground the other 
pretended to describe, they prepared to listen, as men of the 
world would be apt to listen to the superficial and valueless 
comments of a tyro, though not without some expectations of 
amusement. 

“ I propose that we shift the scene to London,” said Captain 
Truck, “ in order that a plain seaman, like myself, may judge 
of the merits of the writer — which, I make no doubt, are very 
great ; though I cannot now swear to it with as free a con- 
science as I could wish.” 

“ If I knew the pleasure of the majority,” returned Mr. Dodge, 
dropping the journal, and looking about him inquiringly, “ I 
would cheerfully comply with it ; for I think the majority should 
always rule. Paris, or London, or the Rhine, are the same to 
me ; I have seen them all, and am just as well qualified to de- 
scribe the one as to describe the other.” 

“No one doubts it, my dear sir ; but I am not as well quali- 
fied to understand one of your descriptions as I am to understand 
another. Perhaps, even you, sir, may express yourself more 
readily, and have better understood what was said to you, in 
English, than in a foreign tongue.” 

“ As for that, I do not think the value of my remarks is lessened 


474 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


by the one circumstance, or enhanced by the other, sir. I make 
it a rule always to be right, if possible ; and that, I fancy, is as 
much as the natives of the countries themselves can very well 
effect. You have only to decide, gentlemen, whether it shall 
be England, or France, or the Continent.” 

“I confess an inclination to the Continent^"’ said John Effing- 
ham ; “ for one could scarcely wish to limit a comprehensive- 
ness like that of Mr. Dodge’s to an island, or even to France.” 

“ I see how it is,” exclaimed the captain ; “ we must put the 
traveller through all his paces, and have a little of both ; so Mr. 
Dodge will have the kindness to touch on all things in heaven 
and earth, London and Paris inclusive.” 

On this hint the journalist turned over a few pages carelessly, 
and then commenced : 

“ ‘ Reached Bruxelles (Mr. Dodge pronounced this word 
Brucksills) at seven in the evening, and put up at the best 
house in the place, called the Silver Lamb, which is quite near 
the celebrated town-house, and, of course, in the very centre of 
the beau quarter. As we did not leave until after breakfast next 
morning, the reader may expect a description of this ancient 
capital. It lies altogether on a bit of low, level land — ^ ” 

“Nay, Mr. Dodge,” interrupted the soi-disant Sir George, “I 
think that must be an error. I have been at Brussels, and I 
declare, now, it struck me as lying a good deal on the side of a 
very steep hill !” 

“All a mistake, sir, I do assure you. There is no more 
hill at Brucksills than on the deck of this ship. You have 
been in too great a hurry, my dear Sir George ; that is the way 
with most travellers ; they do not give themselves time to note 
particulars. You English especially, my dear Sir George, are 
a little apt to be precipitate ; and I dare say, yon travelled post, 
with four horses, a mode of getting on by which a man may 
very well transfer a hill, in his imagination, from one town to 
another. I travelled chiefly in a voitury^ which afforded leisure 
for remarks.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


475 


Here Mr. Dodge laughed ; for he felt that he had got the best 
of it. 

“ I think you are bound to submit, Sir Gecyrge Templemore'' 
said John Effingham, with an emphasis on the name that raised 
a smile among his friends ; “ Brussels certainly lies on a flat ; 
and the hill you saw has, doubtless, been brought up with you 
from Holland in your haste. Mr. Dodge enjoyed a great ad- 
vantage in his mode of travelling ; for, by entering a town in 
the evening, and quitting it only in the morning, he had the 
w'hole night to look about him.” 

“ That was just my mode of proceeding, Mr. John Effing- 
ham ; I made it a rule to pass an entire night in every large 
town I came to.” 

“ A circumstance that will give a double value to your opin- 
ions with our countrymen, Mr. Dodge, since they very seldom 
give themselves half that leisure when once in motion. I trust 
you have not passed over the institutions of Belgium, sir ; and 
most particularly the state of society in the capital, of which 
you saw so much ?” 

“ By no means ; here are my remarks on these subjects : 
‘ Belgium, or The Beiges^ as the country is now called, is one 
of the upstart kingdoms that have arisen in our times; and 
which, from signs that cannot be mistaken, is fated soon to be 
overturned by the glorious principles of freedom. The people 
are ground down, as usual, by the oppression of hard task- 
masters, and bloody-minded priests. The monarch, who is a 
bigoted Catholic of the House of Saxony, being a son of the 
king of that country, and a presumptive heir to the throne of 
Great Britain, in right of his first wife, devoting all his thoughts 
to miracles and saints. The nobles form a class by them- 
selves, indulging in all sorts of vices’ — I beg pardon. Sir George, 
but the truth must be told in our country, or one had better 
never speak — ‘ All sorts of vices, and otherwise betraying the 
monstrous tendencies of the system.’ ” 

“ Pray, Mr. Dodge,” interrupted John Effingham, “ haye you 


476 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


said notliing as to the manner in which the inhabitants relieve 
the eternal ennui of always walking on a level surface ?” 

“ I am afraid not, sir. My attention was chiefly given to the 
institutions, and to the state of society, although I can readily 
imagine they must get to be heartily tired of a dead flat.” 

“ Why, sir, they have contrived to run a street up and down 
the roof of the cathedral ; and up and down this street they 
trot all hours of the day.” 

Mr. Dodge looked distrustful; but John Eflfingham main- 
tained his gravity. After a pause the former continued : 

“ ‘ The usages of Brucksills are a mixture of Low Dutch and 
High Dutch habits, as is the language. The king being a Po- 
lander, and a grandson of Augustus, King of Poland, is anxious 
to introduce the customs of the Russians into his court ; while 
his amiable young queen, who was born in New Jersey when 
her illustrious father kept the school at Haddonfield, early im- 
bibed those notions of republicanism which so eminently distin- 
guish his Grace the Honorable Louis Philippe Orleans, the 
present King of the French.’ ” 

“Nay, Mr. Dodge,” said Mr. Sharp, “you will have all the 
historians ready to cut your throat with envy !” 

“ Why, sir, I feel it a duty not to throw away the great op- 
portunities I have enjoyed ; and America is a country in which 
an editor may never hope to mystify his readers. We deal 
with them in facts, Mr. Sharp ; and although this may not be 
your English practice, we think that truth is powerful and will 
prevail. To continue, — ‘ The kingdom of the Beiges is about as 
large as the northeast corner of Connecticut, including one town 
in Rhode Island ; and the whole population may be about equal 
to that of our tribe of Creek Indians, who dwell in the wilder 
parts of our State of Georgia.’ ” 

“This particularity is very convincing,” observed Paul; 
“ and then it has the merit, too, of coming from an eye- 
witness.” 

“ I will now, gentlemen, return with you to Paris, where I 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


477 


stayed all of three weeks, and of the society, of which my 
knowledge of the language will, of course, enable me to give a 
still more valuable account.” 

“ You mean to publish these hints, I trust, sir?” inquired the 
captain. 

“ I shall probably collect them, and enlarge them in the way 
of a book ; but they have already been laid before the Ameri- 
can public in the columns of the Active Inquirer. I can as- 
sure you, gentlemen, that my colleagues of the press have 
spoken quite favorably of the letters as they appeared. Perhaps 
you would like to hear some of their opinions ?” 

Hereupon Mr. Dodge opened a pocket-book, out of which he 
took six or eight slips of printed paper, that had been preserved 
with care, though obviously well thumbed. Opening one, he 
read as follows : 

“ ‘ Our friend Dodge, of the Active Inquirer, is instructing his 
readers, and edifying mankind in general, with some very ex- 
cellent and pungent remarks on the state of Europe, which part 
of the world he is now exploring with some such enterprise and 
perseverance as Columbus discovered when he entered on the 
unknown waste of the Atlantic. His opinions meet with our 
unqualified approbation, being sound, American, and discrimi- 
nating. We fancy these Europeans will begin to think in time 
that Jonathan has some pretty shrewd notions concerning them- 
selves, the critturs!’ This was extracted from the People’s 
Advocate, a journal edited with great ability, by Peleg Pond, 
Esquire, a thorough-going republican, and a profound observer 
of mankind.” 

“In his own parish in particular,” quaintly added John 
Effingham. “ Pray, sir, have you any more of these critical 
morceaux 

“ At least a dozen,” beginning to read again : — “ ‘ Steadfast 
Dodge, Esquire, the editor of the Active Inquirer, is now travel- 
ling in Europe, and is illuminating the public mind at home by 
letters that are Johnsonian in style, Chesterfieldian in taste and 


478 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


in knowledge of the world, with the redeeming qualities of na- 
tionality, and republicanism, and truth. We rejoice to perceive 
by these valuable contributions to American literature, that 
Steadfast Dodge, Esquire, finds no reason to envy the inhabit- 
ants of the Old World any of their boasted civilization ; but 
that, on the contrary, he is impressed with the superiority of 
our condition over all countries, every post that he progresses. 
America has produced but few men like Dodge; and even 
Walter Scott might not be ashamed to own some of his de- 
scriptions. We hope he may long continue to travel.’ ” 

“ Voitury^' added John Effingham, gravely. “ You perceive, 
gentlemen, how modestly these editors set forth their intimacy 
with the traveller — ‘ our friend Dodge, of the Active Inquirer,’ 
and ‘ Steadfast Dodge, Esquire !’ — a mode of expression that 
speaks volumes for their own taste, and their profound deference 
for their readers.” 

“ We always speak of each other in this manner, Mr. John 
Effingham — that is our esprit du corps ^ 

“ And I should think that there would be an esprit de corps 
in the public to resist it,” observed Paul Blunt. 

The distinction was lost on Mr. Dodge, who turned over to 
one of his most elaborate strictures on the state of society in 
France, with all the self-complacency of besotted ignorance and 
provincial superciliousness. Searching out a place to his mind, 
this profound observer of men and manners, who had studied a 
foreign people, whose language when spoken was gibberish to 
him, by travelling five days in a public coach, and living four 
weeks in taverns and eating-houses, besides visiting three thea- 
tres, in which he did not understand a single word that was 
uttered, proceeded to lay before his auditors the results of his 
observations. 

“ ‘ The state of female society in France is truly awful,’ ” he 
resumed ; “ ‘ the French Revolution, as is universally known, 
having left neither decorum, modesty, nor beauty in the nation. 
1 walk nightly in the galleries of the Palais Royal, where I lo- 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


479 


cate myself, and get every opportunity of observing the peculi- 
arities of ladies of the first taste and fashion in the metropolis 
of Europe. There is one duchess in particular, whose grace 
and embonpoint have, I confess, attracted my admiration. This 
lady, as my lacquais de place informs me, is sometimes termed la 
mere du peuple^ from her popularity and affability. The young 
ladies of France, judging from the specimens I have seen here — 
which must be of the highest class in the capital, as the spot is 
under the windows of one of the royal palaces — are by no 
means observable for that quiet reserve and modest diffidence 
that distinguish the fair among our own young countrywomen ; 
but it must be admitted they, are remarkable for the manner in 
which they walk alone, in my judgment a most masculine and 
unbecoming practice. Woman was not made to live alone, and 
I shall contend that she was not made to walk alone. At 
the same time, I confess there is a certain charm in the manner 
in which these ladies place a hand in each pocket of their 
aprons, and balance their bodies, as they move like duchesses 
through the galleries. If I might humbly suggest, the Ameri- 
can fair might do worse than imitate this Parisian step ; for, 
as a traveller, I feel it a duty to exhibit any superior quality 
that other nations possess. I would also remark on the gen- 
eral suavity of manners that the ladies of quality’ ” (this word 
Mr. Dodge pronounced qua-a-lity) “ ‘ observe in their prome- 
nades in and about this genteel quarter of Paris.’ ” 

“ The French ladies ought to be much flattered with this no- 
tice of them,” cried the captain, filling Mr. Dodge’s glass. “ In 
the name of truth and penetration, sir, proceed.” 

“ ‘ I have lately been invited to attend a ball in one of the 
first families of France, which resides in the Rue St. Jacques, or 
the St. James’ of Paris. The company was select, and com- 
posed of many of the first persons in the kingdom of des Fran- 
cais. The best possible manners were to be seen here, and the 
dancing was remarkable for its grace and beauty. The air 
with which the ladies turned their heads on one side, and in- 


480 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


dined their bodies in advancing and retiring, was in the first 
style of the court of Terpsichore. They were all of the very 
first families of France. I heard one excuse herself for going 
away so early, as Madame la Duchesse expected her ; and 
another observed that she was to leave town in the morning 
with Madame la Vicomtesse. The gentlemen, with few excep- 
tions, were in fancy dresses, appearing in coats, some of sky- 
blue, some green, some scarlet, and some navy-blue, as fancy 
dictated, and all more or less laced on the seams ; much in the 
manner as was the case with the Honorable the King the morn- 
ing I saw him leave for Nully. This entertainment was alto- 
gether the best conducted of any I ever attended, the gentlemen 
being condescending, and without the least pride, and the 
ladies all grace.^ ” 

“ Graces would be more expressive, if you will excuse my 
suggesting a word, sir,” observed John Effingham, as the other 
paused to take breath. 

“ ‘ I have observed that the people in most monarchies are 
abject and low-minded in their deportment. Thus the men take 
off their hats when they enter churches, although the minister 
be not present ; and even the boys take off their hats when 
they enter private houses. This is commencing servility young. 
I have even seen men kneeling on the cold pavements of the 
churches in the most abject manner, and otherwise betraying 
the feeling naturally created by slavish institutions.’ ” 

“ Lord help ’em !” exclaimed the captain ; “ if they begin so 
young, what a bowing and kneeling set of blackguards they 
will get to be in time.” 

“ It is to be presumed that Mr. Dodge has pointed out the 
consequences in the instance of the abject old men mentioned, 
who probably commenced their servility by entering houses 
with their hats off,” said John Effingham. 

“ Just so, sir,” rejoined the editor. “ I throw in these little 
popular traits because I think they show the differences be- 
tween nations.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


481 


“ From which I infer,” said Mr. Sharp, “ that in your part of 
America boys do not take off their hats when they enter 
houses, nor men kneel in churches ?” 

“ Certainly not, sir. Our people get their ideas of manliness 
early ; and as for kneeling in churches, we have some supersti- 
tious sects — I do not mention them ; but, on the whole, no na- 
tion can treat the house of God more rationally than we do in 
America.” 

“That I will vouch for,” rejoined John Effingham ; “ for the 
last time I was at home I attended a concert in one of them, 
where an artiste of singular nasal merit favored the company 
with that admirable piece of conjoined sentiment and music 
entitled ‘ Four-and-twenty fiddlers all in a row !’ ” 

“ I’ll engage for it,” cried Mr. Dodge, swelling with national 
pride, “ and felt all the time as independent and easy as if he 
was in a tavern. Oh ! superstition is quite extinct in Armriky! 
But I have a few remarks on the church in my notes upon 
England — perhaps you would like to hear them ?” 

“ Let me entreat you to read them,” said the true Sir George 
Templemore, a little eagerly. 

“ Now, I protest against any illiberality,” added the false Sir 
George, shaking his finger. 

Mr. Dodge disregarded both ; but, turning to the place, he 
read aloud, with his usual self-complacency and unction : • 

“ ‘ To-day I attended public worship in St. Church, 

Minories. The congregation was composed of many of the 
first people of England, among whom were present Sir Solomon 
Snore, formerly High Sheriff of London, a gentleman of the 
first consideration in the empire, and the celebrated Mr. Shil- 
ling, of the firm of Pound, Shilling, and Pence. There was 
certainly a fine air of polite life in the congregation, but a little 
too much idolatry. Sir Solomon and Mr. Shilling were both 
received with distinction, which was very proper, when we re- 
member their elevated rank ; but the genuflexions and chant- 
ing met with my very unqualified disapprobation.’ ” 

21 


482 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ Sir Solomon and the other personage you mention were a 
little pursy^ perhaps,” observed Mr. Sharp, “ which destroyed 
their grace.” 

“ I disapprove of all kneeling, on general principles, sir. If 
we kneel to one, we shall get to kneel to another, and no one 
can tell where it will end. ‘ The exclusive manner in which 
the congregation were seated in pews, with sides so high that 
it was difficult to see your nearest neighbor ; and these pews’ 
(Mr. Dodge pronounced this word poohs) * have often curtains 
that completely inclose their owners — a system of selfishness 
that would not be long tolerated in Ameriky' ” 

“ Do individuals own their pews in America ?” inquired Mr. 
Sharp. 

“ Often,” returned John Effingham ; “ always, except in those 
particular portions of the country where it is deemed invidious, 
and contrary to the public rights, to be better off than one’s 
neighbor, by owning any thing that all the community has not 
a better claim to than its proprietor.” 

“ And cannot the owner of a pew curtain it, with a view to 
withdraw into himself at public worship ?” 

“ America and England are the antipodes of each other in 
all these things. I dare say, now, that you have come among 
us with an idea that our liberty is so very licentious, that a 
man may read a newspaper by himself?” 

“ I confess, certainly, to that much,” returned Mr. Sharp, 
smiling. 

“We shall teach him better than this, Mr. Dodge, before we 
let him depart. No, sir ; you have very contracted ideas of 
liberty, I perceive. With us, every thing is settled by majori- 
ties. We eat when the majority eats ; drink when the major- 
ity drinks; sleep when the majority sleeps; pray when the 
majority prays. So far from burying ourselves in deep wells of 
pews, with curtains around their edges, we have raised the 
floors, amphitheatre fashion, so that everybody can see every- 
body ; have taken away the sides of the pews, which we have 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


483 


converted into free and equal seats, and have cut down the 
side of the pulpit, so that we can look at the clergyman ; hut I 
understand there is actually a project on foot to put the con- 
gregation into the pulpit, and the parson into the aisle, by way 
of letting the latter see that he is no better than he should be. 
This would be a capital arrangement, Mr. Dodge, for the ‘ Four- 
and-twenty fiddlers all in a row.’ ” 

The editor of the Active Inquirer was a little distrustful of 
John Effingham, and he was not sorry to continue his extracts, 
although he was obliged to bring himself still farther under the 
fire of his assailant. 

“ ‘ This morning, ’ ” Mr. Dodge resumed, “ ‘ I stepped into the 
coffee-room of the Shovel and Tongs public-house, to read 
the morning paper, and, taking a seat by the side of a gentle- 
man who was reading the Times, and, drawing to me the 
leaves of the journal, so that it would be more convenient to 
peruse, the man insolently and arrogantly demanded of me. 
What the devil I meant? This intolerance in the English 
character is owing to the narrowness of the institutions, under 
which men come to fancy liberty applies to persons instead of 
majorities.’ ” 

“You perceive, Mr. Sharp,” said John Effingham, “how 
much more able a stranger is to point out the defects of na- 
tional character than a native. I dare say, that in indulging 
your individuality hitherto, you have imagined you were en- 
joying liberty.” 

“I fear I have committed some such weakness — but Mr. 
Dodge will have the goodness to proceed.” 

The editor complied as follows: “‘Nothing has surprised 
me more than the grovelling propensities of the English on the 
subject of names. Thus this very inn, which in America would 
be styled the Eagle Tavern, or the Oriental or Occidental Ho- 
tel, or the Anglo-Saxon Democratical Coffee-house, or some 
other equally noble and dignified appellation, is called the 
Shovel and Tongs. One tavern, which might very appropri- 


484 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ately be termed The Saloon of Peace, is very vulgarly called 
Dolly’s Chop-house.’ ” 

All the gentlemen, not excepting Mr. Sharp, murmured their 
disgust at so coarse a taste. But most of the party began now 
to tire of this pretending ignorance and provincial vulgarity, 
and, one by one, most of them soon after left the table. Cap- 
tain Truck, however, sent for Mr. Leach, and these two worthies, 
with Mr. Dodge and the spurious baronet, sat an hour longer, 
when all retired to their berths. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


485 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

“ ni meet thee at Philippi.” 

Shakspeabe. 

Happy is the man who arrives on the coast of New York, 
with the wind at the southward, in the month of November. 
There are two particular conditions of the weather, in which 
the stranger receives the most unfavorable impressions of the 
climate that has been much and unjustly abused, but which 
two particular conditions warrant all the evil that has been said 
of it. One is a sweltering day in summer, and the other an 
autumnal day, in which the dry north wind scarce seems to 
leave any marrow in the bones. 

The passengers of the Montauk escaped both these evils, and 
now approached the coast with a bland southwest breeze and a 
soft sky. The ship had been busy in the night, and when the 
party assembled on deck in the morning. Captain Truck told 
them that in an hour they should have a sight of the long-de- 
sired western continent. As the packet was running in at the 
rate of nine knots, under topmast and topgallant studding-sails, 
being to windward of her port, this was a promise that the gal- 
lant vessel seemed likely enough to redeem. 

“ Toast !” called out the captain, who had dropped into his 
old habits as naturally as if nothing had occurred, “ bring me a 
coal ; and you, master steward, look well to the breakfast this 
morning. If the wind stands six hours longer, I shall have the 
grief of parting with this good company, and you the grief of 
knowing you will never set another meal before them. These 


486 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


are moments to awaken sentiment, and yet I never knew an 
officer of the pantry that did not begin to grin as he drew near 
his port.” 

“ It is usually a cheerful moment with every one, I believe. 
Captain Truck,” said Eve, “ and most of all, should it be one of 
heartfelt gratitude with us.” 

“ Ay, ay, my dear young lady ; and yet I fancy Mr. Saunders 
will explain it rather differently. Has no one sung out ‘ land,’ 
yet, from aloft, Mr. Leach? The sands of New Jersey ought 
to be visible before this.” 

“We have seen the haze of the land since daylight, but not 
land itself.” 

“ Then, like old Columbus, the flowered doublet is mine — 
land, ho!” 

The mates and the people laughed, and, looking ahead, they 
nodded to each other, and the word “ land” passed from mouth 
to mouth, with the indifference with which mariners first see it 
in short passages. Not so with the rest. They crowded to- 
gether, and endeavored to catch a glimpse of the coveted 
shore, though, with the exception of Paul, neither could per- 
ceive it. 

“ We must call on you for assistance,” said Eve, who now 
seldom addressed the handsome young seaman without a flush 
on her own beautiful face ; “ for we are all so lubberly that none 
of us can see that which we so earnestly desire.” 

“ Have the kindness to look over the stock of that anchor,” 
said Paul, glad of an excuse to place himself nearer to Eve, 
“ and you will discover an object on the water.” 

“ I do,” said Eve, “ but is it not a vessel ?” 

“ It is ; but a little to the right of that vessel, do you not 
perceive a hazy object at some elevation above the sea ?” 

“ The cloud, you mean — a dim, ill-defined, dark body of 
vapor ?” 

“ So it may seem to you, but to me it appears to be the land. 
That is the bluff-like termination of the celebrated highlands 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


487 


of Navesink. By watching it for half an hour, you will per- 
ceive its form and surface grow gradually more distinct.” 

Eve eagerly pointed out the place to Mademoiselle Yiefville 
and her father, and from that moment, for near an hour, most 
of the passengers kept it steadily in view. As Paul had said, 
the blue of this hazy object deepened ; then its base became 
connected with the water, and it ceased to resemble a cloud at 
all. In twenty more minutes the faces and angles of the hills 
became visible, and trees started out of their sides. In the end 
a pair of twin lights were seen perched on the summit. 

But the Montauk edged away from these highlands, and 
shaped her course towards a long, low spit of sand, that lay 
several miles to the northward of them. In this direction fifty 
small sail were gathering into, or diverging from the pass, their 
high, gaunt-looking canvas resembling so many church towers 
on the plains of Lombardy. These were coasters, steering 
towards their several havens. Two or three outward-bound 
ships were among them, holding their way in the direction of 
China, the Pacific Ocean, or Europe. 

About nine, the Montauk met a large ship standing on a 
bowline, with every thing set that would draw, and heaping 
the water under her bows. A few minutes after. Captain Truck, 
whose attention had been much diverted from the surrounding 
objects by the care of his ship, came near the group of passen- 
gers, and once more entered into conversation. 

“ Here we are, my dear young lady !” he cried, “ within five 
leagues of Sandy Hook, which lies hereaway, under our lee 
bow; as pretty a position as heart could wish. This lank, 
hungry-looking schooner in-shore of us, is a news-vessel, and, 
as soon as she is done with the brig near her, we shall have her 
in chase, when there will be a good opportunity to get rid of 
all our spare lies. This little fellow to leeward, who is clawing 
up towards us, is the pilot ; after whose arrival my functions 
cease, and I shall have little to do but to rattle otf Saunders 
and Toast, and to feed the pigs.” 


488 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ And who is this gentleman ahead of us, with his maintop- 
sail to the mast, his courses in the brails, and his helm a-lee 
asked Paul. 

“ Some chap who has forgotten his knee-buckles, and has 
been obliged to send a boat up to town to hunt for them,” 
coolly rejoined the captain, while he sought the focus of the 
glass, and levelled it at the vessel in question. The look was 
long and steady, and twice Captain Truck lowered the instru- 
ment to wipe the moisture from his own eye. At length he 
called out, to the amazement of everybody — 

“ Stand by to in all studding-sails, and to ware to the east- 
ward. Be lively, men, be lively ! The eternal Foam, as I am 
a miserable sinner 1” 

Paul laid a hand on the arm of Captain Truck, and stopped 
him, as the other was about to spring towards the forecastle, 
with a view to aid and encourage his people. 

“ You forget that we have neither spars nor sails suited to a 
chase,” said the young man. “ If we haul off to seaward on 
any tack we can try, the corvette will be too much for us now, 
and excuse me if I say that a different course will be advisable.” 

The captain had learned to respect the opinion of Paul, and 
he took the interference kindly. 

“ What choice remains, but to run down into the very jaws 
of the lion,” he asked, “ or to wear round, and stand to the east- 
ward ?” 

“We have two alternatives. We may pass unnoticed, the 
ship being so much altered ; or we may haul up on the tack we 
are on, and get into shallow water.” 

“ He draws as little as this ship, sir, and would follow. There 
is no port short of Egg Harbor, and into that I should be bash- 
ful about entering with a vessel of this size ; whereas, by run- 
ning to the eastward, and doubling Montauk, which would owe 
us shelter on account of our name, I might get into the Sound, 
or New London, at need, and then claim the sweepstakes, as 
having won the race.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


489 


“ This would be impossible, Captain Truck, allow me to say. 
Dead before the wind, we cannot escape, for the land would 
fetch us up in a couple of hours ; to enter by Sandy Hook, if 
known, is impossible, on account of the corvette, and, in a chase 
of a hundred and twenty miles, we should be certain to be 
overtaken.” 

“ I fear you are right, my dear sir, I fear you are right. The 
studding-sails are now in, and I will haul up for the highlands, 
and anchor under them, should it be necessary. We can then 
give this fellow Vattel in large quantities, for I hardly think he 
will venture to seize us while we have an anchor fast to good 
American ground.” 

“ How near dare you stand to the shore ?” 

“ Within a mile ahead of us ; but to enter the Hook, the bar 
must be crossed a league or two olF.” 

“ The latter is unlucky ; but, by all means, get the vessel in 
with the land ; so near as to leave no doubt as to our being 
in American waters.” 

‘‘We’ll try him, sir, we’ll try him. After having escaped 
the Arabs, the deuce is in it, if we cannot weather upon John 
Bull ! I beg your pardon, Mr. Sharp ; but this is a question 
that must be settled by some of the niceties of the great au- 
thorities.” 

The yards were now braced forward, and the ship was 
brought to the wind, so as to head in a little to the northward 
of the bathing-houses at Long Branch. But for this sudden 
change of course, the Montauk would have run down dead 
upon the corvette, and possibly might have passed her unde- 
tected, owing to the change made in her appearance by the 
spars of the Dane. So long as she continued “ bows on,” stand- 
ing towards them, not a soul on board the Foam suspected her 
real character, though, now that she acted so strangely, and 
offered her broadside to view, the truth became known in an 
instant. The mainyard of the corvette was swung, and her 
sails were filled on the same course as that on which the packet 

21 * 


490 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


was steering. The two vessels were about ten miles from the 
land, the Foam a little ahead, but fully a league to leeward. 
The latter, however, soon tacked and stood in-shore. This 
brought the vessels nearly abreast of each other, the corvette a 
mile or more dead to leeward, and distant now some six miles 
from the coast. The great superiority of the corvette’s sailing 
was soon apparent to all on board both vessels, for she appa- 
rently went two feet to the packet’s one. 

The history of this meeting, so unexpected to Captain Truck, 
was very simple. When the gale had abated, the corvette, 
which had received no damage, hauled up along the African 
coast, keeping as near as possible to the supposed track of the 
packet, and failing to fall in with her chase, she had filled away 
for New York. On making the Hook she took a pilot, and in- 
quired if the Montauk had arrived. From the pilot she learned 
that the vessel of which she was in quest had not yet made its 
appearance, and she sent an oflScer up to the town to communi- 
cate with the British consul. On the return of this officer, the 
corvette stood away from the land, and commenced cruising in 
the offing. For a week she had now been thus occupied, it 
being her practice to run close in, in the morning, and to re- 
main hovering about the bar until near night, when she made 
sail for an offing. When first seen from the Montauk, she had 
been lying-to, to take in stores sent from the town, and to com- 
municate with a news-boat. 

The passengers of the Montauk had just finished their break- 
fast, when the mate reported that the ship was fast shoaling her 
water, and that it would be necessary to alter the course in a 
few minutes, or to anchor. On repairing to the deck. Captain 
Truck and his companions perceived the land less than a mile 
ahead of them, and the corvette about half that distance to the 
leeward, and nearly abeam. 

“ That is a bold fellow,” exclaimed the captain, “ or he has 
got a Sandy Hook pilot on board him.” 

“Most probably the latter,” said Paul: “it is not likely 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


491 


he would be here on this duty, and neglect so simple a pre- 
caution.” 

“ I think this would satisfy Mr. Vattel, sir,” returned Captain 
Truck, as the man in the chains sung out, ‘ and a half three !’ 
“ Hard up with the helm, and lay the yards square, Mr. Leach.” 

“Now we shall soon know the virtue of Yattel,” said John 
Effingham, “ as ten minutes will suffice to raise the question 
very fairly.” 

The Foam put her helm down, and tacked beautifully to the 
southeast. As soon as the Montauk — which vessel was now 
running along shore, keeping in about four fathoms water, the 
sea being as smooth as a pond — was a-beam, the corvette wore 
round, and began to close with her chase, keeping on her east- 
ern, or outer board. 

“ Were we an enemy, and a match for that sloop,” said Paul, 
“ this smooth water and yard-arm attitude would make quick 
work.” 

“ Her captain is in the gangway, taking our measure,” ob- 
served Mr. Truck : “ here is the glass ; I wish you to examine 
his face, and tell me if you think him a man with whom the 
law of nations will avail any thing. See the anchor clear, Mr. 
Leach, for I’m determined to bring up all standing, if the gen- 
tleman intends to renew the old tricks of John Bull on our 
coast. What do you make of him, Mr. Blunt ?” 

Paul did not answer, but laying down the glass, he paced the 
deck rapidly with the manner of one much disturbed. All ob- 
served this sudden change, though no one presumed to com- 
ment on it. In the mean time the sloop-of-war came up fast, 
and in a few minutes her larboard foreyard-arm was within 
twenty feet of the starboard mainyard-arm of the Montauk, the 
two vessels running on parallel lines. The corvette now hauled 
up her forecourse, and let her topgallant-sails settle on the 
caps, though a dead silence reigned in her. 

“ Give me the trumpet,” said Captain Truck, stepping to the 
rail ; “ the gentleman is about to give us a piece of his mind.” 


492 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


The English captain, who was easily known by his two epau- 
lettes, also held a trumpet ; but neither of the two commanders 
used his instrument, the distance being sufficiently near for the 
natural voice. 

“ I believe, sir,” commenced the man-of-war’s-man, “ that I 
have the pleasure to see Captain Truck, of the Montauk, Lon- 
don packet ?” 

“ Ay, ay ; I’ll warrant you he has my name alongside of John 
Doe and Richard Roe,” muttered Mr. Truck, “spelt as care- 
fully as it could be in a primer. — I am Captain Truck, and this 
is the Montauk. May I ask the name of your vessel, and your 
own, sir?” 

“This is his Britannic Majesty’s ship, the Foam, Captain 
Ducie.” 

“The Honorable Captain Ducie!” exclaimed Mr. Sharp. “I 
thought I recognized the voice ; I know him intimately well.” 

“Will he stand Vattel?” anxiously demanded Mr. Truck. 

“Nay, as for that, I must refer you to himself.” 

“ You appear to have suffered in the gale,” resumed Captain 
Ducie, whose smile was very visible, as he thus addressed them 
like an old acquaintance. “We fared better ourselves, for I be- 
lieve we did not part a rope-yarn.” 

“ The ship pitched every stick out of her,” returned Captain 
Truck, “ and has given us the trouble of a new outfit.” 

“ In which you appear to have succeeded admirably. Your 
spars and sails are a size or two too small ; but every thing 
stands like a church.” 

“ Ay, ay, now we have got on our new clothes, we are not 
ashamed to be seen.” 

“ May I ask if you have been in port to do all this ?” 

“ No, sir ; picked them up along-shore.” 

The Honorable Captain Ducie thought he was quizzed, and 
his manner became a little more cold, though it still retained 
its gentlemanlike tone. 

“ I wish much to see you in private, sir, on an affair of some 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


493 


magnitude, and I greatly regret it was not in my power to 
speak you the night you left Portsmouth. I am quite aware 
you are in your own waters, and I feel a strong reluctance to 
retain your passengers when so near their port ; but I shall feel 
it as a particular favor if you will permit me to repair on board 
for a few minutes.” 

“ With all my heart,” cried Captain Truck : “if you will give 
me room, I will back my maintop-sail, but I wish to lay my 
head off shore. This gentleman understands Vattel, and we 
shall have no trouble with him. Keep the anchor clear, Mr. 
Leach, for ‘ fair words butter no parsnips.’ Still, he is a gentle- 
man ; — and, Saunders, put a bottle of the old Madeira on the 
cabin table.” 

Captain Ducie now left the rigging in which he had stood, 
and the corvette luffed off to the eastward, to give room to the 
packet, where she hove-to with her foretop-sail aback. The 
Montauk followed, taking a position under her lee. A quarter- 
boat was lowered, and in five minutes its oars were tossed at 
the packet’s lee-gangway, when the commander of the corvette 
ascended the ship’s side, followed by a middle-aged man in the 
dress of a civilian, and a chubby-faced midshipman. 

No one could mistake Captain Ducie for any thing but a 
gentleman. He was handsome, well-formed, and about five- 
and-twenty. The bow he made to Eve, with whose beauty and 
air he seemed instantly struck, would have become a drawing- 
room ; but he was too much of an officer to permit any farther 
attention to escape him until he had paid his respects to, and 
received the compliments of. Captain Truck. He then turned 
to the ladies and Mr. Effingham, and repeated his salutations. 

“ I fear,” he said, “ my duty has made me the unwilling in- 
strument of prolonging your passage, for I believe few ladies 
love the ocean sufficiently, easily to forgive those who lengthen 
its disagreeables.” 

“ We are old travellers, and know how to allow for the obli- 
gations of duty,” Mr. Effingham civilly answered. 


494 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“That they do, sir,” put in Captain Truck; “and it was 
never my good fortune to have a more agreeable set of pas- 
sengers. Mr. Effingham, the Honorable Captain Ducie ; — the 
Honorable Captain Ducie, Mr. Effingham; — Mr. John Effing- 
ham, Mam’selle V. A. V.” endeavoring always to imitate Eve’s 
pronunciation of the name ; — “ Mr. Dodge, the Honorable Cap- 
tain Ducie ; the Honorable Captain Ducie, Mr. Dodge.” 

The Honorable Captain Ducie and all the others, the editor 
of the Active Inquirer excepted, smiled slightly, though they 
respectively bowed and curtseyed ; but Mr. Dodge, who con- 
ceived himself entitled to be formally introduced to every one 
he met, and to know all he saw, whether introduced or not, 
stepped forward promptly, and shook Mr. Ducie very cordially 
by the hand. 

Captain Truck now turned in quest of some one else to in- 
troduce ; Mr. Sharp stood near the capstan, and Paul had retired 
as far aft as the hurricane-house. 

“ I am happy to see you in the Montauk,” added Captain 
Truck, insensibly leading the other towards the capstan, “ and 
am sorry I had not the satisfaction of meeting you in England. 
The Honorable Captain Ducie, Mr. Sharp; Mr. Sharp, the 
Honorable Captain — ” 

“ George Templemore !” exclaimed the commander of the 
corvette, looking from one to the other. 

“ Charles Ducie I” exclaimed the soi-disant Mr. Sharp. 

“ Here then is an end of part of my hopes, and we have 
been on a wrong scent the whole time.” 

“ Perhaps not, Ducie : explain yourself.” 

“ You must have perceived my endeavors to speak you, from 
the moment you sailed ?” 

“ To speak us !” cried Captain Truck. “ Yes, sir, we did 
observe your endeavors to speak us^’’ 

“ It was because I was given to understand that one calling 
himself Sir George Templemore, an impostor, however, had 
taken passage in this ship ; and here I find that we have been 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


495 


misled, by the real Sir George Templemore’s having chosen to 
come this way instead of coming by the Liverpool ship. So 
much for your confounded fashionable caprices, Templemore, 
which never lets you know in the morning whether you are to 
shoot yourself or to get married before night.” 

“ And is this gentleman Sir George Templemore ?” pithily 
demanded Captain Truck. 

“ For that I can vouch, on the knowledge of my whole life.” 

“ And we know this to be true, and have known it since the 
day we sailed,” observed Mr. Effingham. 

Captain Truck was accustomed to passengers under false 
names, but never before had he been so completely mystified. 

“ And pray, sir,” he inquired of the baronet, “ are you a 
member of Parliament ?” 

‘‘ I have that honor.” 

“And Templemore Hall is your residence, and you have 
come out to look at the Canadas ?” 

“ I am the owner of Templemore Hall, and hope to look at 
the Canadas before I return.” 

“ And,” turning to Captain Ducie, “ you sailed in quest of 
another Sir George Templemore — a false one ?” 

“ That is a part of my errand,” returned Captain Ducie, 
smiling. 

“ Nothing else ? — you are certain, sir, that this is the whole 
of your errand ?” 

“I confess to another motive,” rejoined the other, scarce 
knowing how to take Captain Truck’s question ; “ but this one 
will suffice for the present, I hope.” 

“ This business requires frankness. I mean nothing disre- 
spectful ; but I am in American waters, and should be sorry, 
after all, to be obliged to throw myself on Vattel.” 

“ Let me act as mediator,” interrupted Sir George Temple- 
more. “ Some one has been a defaulter, Ducie ; is it not so ?” 

“ This is the simple truth ; an unfortunate, but silly young 
man, of the name of Sandon. He was intrusted with a large 


496 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


sum of the public money, and has absconded with quite forty 
thousand pounds.” 

“ And this person, you fancy, did me the honor to travel 
under my name ?” 

“ Of that we are certain. Mr. Green here,” motioning to the 
civilian, “ comes from the same office, and traced the delin- 
quent, under your name, some distance on the Portsmouth road. 
When we heard that a Sir George Templemore had actually 
embarked in the Montauk, the admiral made no scruple in 
sending me after the packet. This has been an unlucky mistake 
for me, as it would have been a feather in the cap of so young 
a commander to catch the rogue.” 

“ You may choose your feather, sir,” returned Captain Truck, 
“ for you will have a right to wear it. The unfortunate young 
man you seek is, out of question, in this ship.” 

Captain Truck now explained that there was a person below 
who had been known to him as Sir George Templemore, and 
who, doubtless, was the unhappy delinquent sought. But 
Captain Ducie did not betray the attention or satisfaction that 
one would have expected from this information, his eye being 
riveted on Paul, who stood beneath the hurricane-house. When 
the latter saw that he attracted attention, he advanced slowly, 
even reluctantly, upon the quarter-deck. The meeting between 
these two gentlemen was embarrassed, though each maintained 
his self-possession. 

“ Mr. Powis, I believe ?” said the officer, bowing haughtily. 

“ Captain Ducie, if I am not mistaken ?” returned the other, 
lifting his hat steadily, though his face became flushed. 

The manner of the two, however, was but little noticed at 
the moment, though all heard the words. Captain Truck drew 
a long “ whe — e — e — w !” for this was rather more than even 
he was accustomed to, in the way of masquerades. His eye 
was on the two gentlemen as they walked aft together, and 
alone, when he felt a touch upon his arm. It was the little 
hand of Eve, between whom and the old seaman there existed 


HOME>VARD BOUND. 


497 


a good deal of trifling, blended with the most entire good-will. 
The young lady laughed with her sweet eyes, shook her fair 
curls, and said mockingly — 

“ Mr. Sharp, Mr. Blunt ; Mr. Blunt, Mr. Sharp !” 

“ And were you in the secret all this time, my dear young 
lady ?” 

“ Every minute of it ; from the buoys of Portsmouth to this 
very spot.” 

“ I shall be obliged to introduce my passengers all over again !” 

“ Certainly ; and I would recommend that each should show 
a certiflcate of baptism, or a passport, before you announce his 
or her name.” 

“ You are, at least, the beautiful Miss Effingham, my dear 
young lady ?” 

“ I’ll not vouch for that, even,” said Eve, blushing and 
laughing. 

“ That is Mr. John Effingham, I hope !” 

“ For that I can vouch. There are not two cousin Jacks on 
earth.” 

“ I wish I knew what the other business of this gentleman 
is ! He seems amicably disposed, except as regards Mr. Blunt. 
They looked coldly and suspiciously at each other.” 

Eve thought so too, and she lost all her desire for pleasantry. 
Just at this moment Captain Ducie quitted his companion, both 
touching their hats distantly, and returned to the group he had 
so unceremoniously left a tew minutes before. 

“ I believe. Captain Truck, you now know my errand,” he 
said, “ and can say whether you will consent to my examining 
the person whom you have mentioned ?” 

“ I know one of your errands, sir ; you spoke of having two^ 

“ Both will find their completion in this ship, with your 
permission.” 

“ Permission ! That sounds well, at least, my dear young 
lady. Permit me to inquire, Captain Ducie, has either of your 
errands the flavor of tobacco about it ?” 


498 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


The young man looked surprised, and he began to suspect 
another mystification. 

“ The question is so singular, that it is not very intelligible.” 

“ I wish to know. Captain Ducie, if you have any thing to 
say to this ship in the way of smuggling ?” 

“ Certainly not. I am not a custom-house officer, sir, nor on 
the revenue duty ; and I had supposed this vessel a regular 
packet, whose interest is too plain to enter into such a pur- 
suit.” 

“You have supposed nothing but the truth, sir; though 
we cannot always answer for the honesty or discretion of our 
people. A single pound of tobacco might forfeit this noble 
ship; and, observing the perseverance with which you have 
chased me, I was afraid all was not right with the, excise.” 

“ You have had a needless alarm then, for my two objects in 
coming to America are completely answered by meeting with 
Mr. Powis and the Mr. Sandon, who, I have been given, to un- 
derstand, is in his stateroom below.” 

The party looked at each other, but nothing was said. 

“ Such being the facts. Captain Ducie, I beg to offer you 
every facility, so far as the hospitality of my ship is con- 
cerned.” 

“ You will permit us to have an interview with Mr. San- 
don ?” 

“Beyond a doubt. I see, sir, you have read Vattel, and un- 
derstand the rights of neutrals, or of independent nations. As 
this interview most probably will be interesting, you may de- 
sire to have it held in private, and a stateroom will be too 
small for the purpose. My dear young lady, will you have the 
complaisance to lend us your cabin for half an hour ?” 

Eve bowed assent, and Captain Truck then invited the two 
Englishmen below. 

“ My presence at this interview is of little moment,” observed 
Captain Ducie ; “ Mr. Green is master of the whole affair, and 
I have a matter of importance to arrange with Mr. Powis. If 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


499 


one or two of you gentlemen will have the kindness to be 
present, and witnesses of what passes between Mr. Sandon and 
Mr. Green, it would be a great favor. Templemore, I may 
claim this of you 

“ With all my heart, though it is an unpleasant oflBce to see 
guilt exposed. Should I presume too much by asking Mr. 
J ohn Effingham to be of our party 

“ I was about to make the same request,” put in the captain. 
“We shall then be two Englishmen and two Yankees, — if Mr. 
John Effingham will allow me so to style him?” 

“Until we get within the Hook, Captain Truck, I am a 
Yankee ; once in the country, I belong to the Middle States, if 
you will allow me the favor to choose.” 

The last speaker was stopped by a nudge from Captain 
Truck, who seized an opportunity to whisper — 

“ Make no such distinction between outside and inside, I beg 
of you, my dear sir. I hold that the ship is, at this identical 
moment, in the United States of America in a positive sense, as 
well as by a legal fiction ; and I think Yattel will bear me 
out in it.” 

“ Let it pass for that, then. I will be present at your inter- 
view with the fugitive. If the case is not clear against him, he 
shall be protected.” 

Things were now soon arranged ; it being decided that Mr. 
Green, who belonged to one of the English offices, accompa- 
nied by the gentlemen just named, should descend to the cabin 
of Miss Effingham, in order to receive the delinquent ; while 
Captain Ducie should have his interview with Paul Powis in 
the stateroom of the latter. 

The first party went below immediately ; but Captain Ducie 
remained on deck a minute or two to give an order to the mid- 
shipman of his boat, who immediately quitted the Montauk, 
and pulled to the corvette. During this brief delay Paul ap- 
proached the ladies, to whom he spoke with a forced indiffer- 
ence, though it was not possible to avoid seeing his concern. 


500 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


His servant, too, was observed watching his movements with 
great interest ; and when the two gentlemen went below in 
company, the man shrugged his shoulders, and actually held up 
his hands, as one is wont to do at the occurrence of any sur- 
prising or distressing circumstance. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


501 


CHAPTER XXXIII, 

“ Norfolk, for thee remains a heavy doom, 

Which I with some unwillingness pronounce.” 

Shaespeabe. 

The history of the unfortunate young man, who, after es- 
caping all the hazards and adventures of the passage, was now 
so unexpectedly overtaken as he was about to reach what he 
fancied an asylum, was no more than one of those common- 
place tissue of events that lead, through vanity and weakness, 
to crime. His father had held an office under the British gov- 
ernment. Marrying late, and leaving a son and daughter just 
issuing into life at the time of his decease, the situation he had 
himself filled had been given to the first, out of respect to the 
unwearied toil of a faithful servant. 

The young man was one of those who, without principles or 
high motives, live only for vanity. Of prominent vices he had 
none, for there were no salient points in his character on which 
to hang any quality of sufficient boldness to encourage crime 
of that nature. Perhaps he owed his ruin to the circumstance 
that he had a tolerable person, and was six feet high, as much 
as to any one other thing. His father had been a short, solid, 
square-built little man, whose ambition never towered above 
his stature, and who, having entered fairly on the path of in- 
dustry and integrity early in life, had sedulously persevered in 
it to the end. Not so with the son. He read so much about 
aristocratic stature, aristocratic ears, aristocratic hands, aristo- 
cratic feet, and aristocratic air, that he was delighted to find 
that in all these high qualities he was not easily to be distin- 


502 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


guished from most of the young men of rank he occasionally 
saw riding in the parks or met in the streets ; and, though he 
very well knew he was not a lord, he began to fancy it a hap- 
piness to be thought one by strangers, for an hour or two in 
a week. 

His passion for trifles and toys was inherent, and it had been 
increased by reading two or three caricatures of fashionable 
men in the novels of the day, until his happiness was chiefly 
centered in its indulgence. This was an expensive foible ; and 
its gratification ere long exhausted his legitimate means. One 
or two trifling and undetected peculations favored his folly, un- 
til a large sum happening to lie at his sole mercy for a week or 
two, he made such an inroad on it as compelled a flight. Hav- 
ing made up his mind to quit England, he thought it would be 
as easy to escape with forty thousand pounds as with the few 
hundreds he had already appropriated to himself. This capital 
mistake was the cause of his destruction ; for the magnitude 
of the sum induced the government to take unusual steps to 
recover it, and was the true cause of its having dispatched the 
cruiser in chase of the Montauk. 

The Mr. Green who had been sent to identify the fugitive, 
was a cold, methodical man, every way resembling the delin- 
quent’s father, whose ofiice-companion he had been, and in 
whose track of undeviating attention to business and negative 
honesty he had faithfully followed. He felt the peculation, or 
robbery, for it scarce deserved a milder term, to be a reproach 
on the corps to which he belonged, besides leaving a stigma on 
the name of one to whom he had himself looked up as to a 
model for his own imitation and government. It will readily 
be supposed, therefore, that this person was not prepared to 
meet the delinquent in a very forgiving mood. 

“ Saunders,” said Captain Truck in the stern tone with which 
he often hailed a-top, and which implied that instant obedience 
was a condition of his forbearance, “ go to the stateroom of 
the person who has called himself Sir George Templemore — 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


503 


give him my compliments — be very particular, Mr. Saunders — 
and say Captain Truck’s compliments, and then tell him I ex- 
pect the honor of his company in this cabin — the honor of his 
company, remember, in this cabin. If that don’t briog him 
out of his stateroom. I’ll contrive something that shall.” 

The steward turned up the white of his eyes, shrugged his 
shoulders, and proceeded forthwith on the errand. He found 
time, however, to stop in the pantry, and to inform Toast that 
their suspicions were at least in part true. 

“ This elucidates the circumstance of his having no attendant 
with him, like other gentlemen on board, and a wariety of other 
incidents, that much needed dewelopment. Mr. Blunt, I do 
collect from a few hints on deck, turns out to be a Mr. Powis, 
a much genteeler name ; and as they spoke to some one in the 
ladies’ cabin as ‘ Sir George,’ I should not be overcome with 
astonishment should Mr. Sharp actually ewentuate as the real 
baronite.” 

There was time for no more, and Saunders proceeded to sum- 
mon the delinquent. 

“ This is the most unpleasant part of the duty of a packet- 
master between England and America,” continued Captain 
Truck, as soon as Saunders was out of sight. “ Scarce a ship 
sails that it has not some runaway or other, either in the steer- 
age or in the cabins, and we are often called on to aid the civil 
authorities on both sides of the water.” 

“ America seems to be a favorite country with our English 
rogues,” observed the office-man, drily. “ This is the third 
that has gone from our own department within as many 
years.” 

“ Your department appears to be fruitful of such characters, 
sir,” returned Captain Truck pretty much in the spirit in which 
the first remark had been given. 

Mr. Green was as thorough-going an Englishman as any of 
his class in the island. Methodical, plodding, industrious, and 
regular in all his habits, he was honest by rule, and had no 


504 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


leisure or inclination for any other opinions than those which 
were obtained with the smallest effort. In consequence of the 
limited sphere in which he dwelt, in a moral sense at least, he 
was a mass of the prejudices that were most prevalent at the 
period when he first obtained his notions. His hatred of France 
was unconquerable, for he had early learned to consider her as 
the fast enemy of England ; and as to America, he deemed her 
to be the general asylum of all the rogues of his own country — 
the possession of a people who had rebelled against their king, 
because the restraints of law were inherently disagreeable to 
them. This opinion he had no more wish to proclaim than he 
felt a desire to go up and down declaring that Satan was the 
father of sin ; but the fact in the one case was just as well es- 
tablished in his mind as in the other. If he occasionally be- 
trayed the existence of these sentiments, it was as a man coughs ; 
not because he particularly wishes to cough, but because he can- 
not help it. Finding the subject so naturally introduced, there- 
fore, it is no wonder if some of his peculiar notions escaped him 
in the short dialogue that followed. 

“We have our share of bad men, I presume, sir,” he re- 
joined to the thrust of Captain Truck ; “ but the thing that has 
most attracted comment with us, is the fact that they all go to 
America.” 

“ And we receive our share of rogues, I presume, sir ; and it 
is the subject of animadversion with us that they all come from 
England.” 

Mr. Green did not feel the force of this retort ; but he wiped 
his spectacles as he quietly composed his features into a look of 
dignified gravity. 

“ Some of your most considerable men in America, I believe, 
sir,” he continued, have been Englishmen, who preferred a res- 
idence in the colonies to a residence at home.” 

“ I never heard of them,” returned the captain ; “ will you 
have the goodness to name just one ?” 

“ Why, to begin, there was your Washington. I have often 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


505 


heard iny father say he went to school with him in Warwick- 
shire, and that he was thought any thing but very clever, too, 
while he lived in England.” 

“ You perceive, then, that we made something of him when 
we got him over on this side ; for he turned out in the end to 
be a very decent and respectable sort of person. Judging from 
the language of some of your prints, sir, I should suppose that 
King William enjoyed the reputation of being a respectable 
man in your country ?” 

Although startled to hear his sovereign spoken of in this 
irreverent manner, Mr. Green answered promptly, — 

“ He is a king, sir, and comports himself as a king.” 

“ And all the better, I dare say, for the thrashing he got when 
a youngster, from the V ermont tailor.” 

Now Captain Truck quite as religiously believed in this 
vulgar tale concerning the prince in question, as Mr. Green be- 
lieved that Washington had commenced his career as one no 
better than he should be, or as implicitly as Mr. Steadfast Dodge 
gave credit to the ridiculous history of the schoolmaster of Had- 
donfield ; all three of the legends belonging to the same high 
class of historical truths. 

Sir George Templemore looked with surprise at John Effing* 
ham, who gravely remarked, — 

“ Elegant extracts, sir, from the vulgar rumors of two great 
nations. We deal largely in these legends, and you are not 
quite guiltless of them. I dare say, now, if you would be frank, 
that you yourself have not always been deaf to the reports 
against America.” 

“ You surely do not imagine that I am so ignorant of the 
career of Washington ?” 

“ Of that I fully acquit you ; nor do I exactly suppose that 
your present monarch was flogged by a tailor in Vermont, or 
that Louis Philippe kept school in New Jersey. Our position 
in the world raises us beyond these elegances ; but do you 
not fancy some hard things of America, more especially con- 

22 


506 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


cerning her disposition to harbor rogues, if they come with full 
pockets.” 

The baronet laughed, but he colored. He wished to be 
liberal, for he well knew that liberality distinguishes the man 
of the world, and was an indispensable requisite for a gentle- 
man ; but it is very hard for an Englishman to manifest true 
liberality towards the ci-devant colonies, and this he felt in the 
whole of his moral system, notwithstanding every effort to the 
contrary. 

“ I will confess that case of Stephenson made an unfavorable 
impression in England,” he said with some reluctance. 

“ You mean the absconding member of Parliament,” returned 
John Effingham, with emphasis on the four last words. “ You 
cannot mean to reproach us with his selection of a place of 
refuge ; for he was picked up at sea by a foreign ship that was 
accidentally bound to America.” 

“ Certainly not with that circumstance, which, as you say, 
was purely an accident. But was there not something extraor- 
dinary in his liberation from arrest ?” 

“Sir George Templemore, there are few Englishmen with 
whom I would dwell an instant on this subject,” said John 
Effingham gravely ; “ but you are one of those who have taught 
me to respect you, and I feel a strong regret whenever I trace 
any of these mistaken notions in a man of your really generous 
disposition. A moment’s reflection will show you that no civilized 
society could exist with the disposition you hint at ; and as for 
the particular case you have mentioned, the man did not bring 
money of any moment with him, and was liberated from arrest 
on a principle common to all law, where law is stronger than 
political power, and which principle we derive directly from 
Great Britain. Depend on it, so far from there being a 
desire to receive rich rogues in America from other countries, 
there is a growing indisposition to receive emigrants at all; 
for their number is getting to be inconvenient to the native 
population.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


507 


“ Why does not America pass reciprocal laws with us, .then, 
for the mutual delivery of criminals.” 

“ One insuperable objection to such a reciprocity arises from 
the nature of our government, as a confederation, since there is 
no identity in our own criminal jurisprudence : but a chief 
reason is the exceedingly artificial condition of your society, 
which is the very opposite of our own, and indisposes the Ameri- 
can to visit trifling crimes with so heavy punishment. The 
American, who has a voice in this matter, you will remember, 
is not prepared to hang a half-starved wretch for a theft, or to 
send a man to Botany Bay for poaching. The facility with which 
men obtain a livelihood in America has hitherto converted most 
rogues into comparatively honest men when they get there ; 
though I think the day is near, now your own police is so much 
improved, when we shall find it necessary in self-defence to 
change our policy. The common language, as I am told, in- 
duces many knaves, who now find England too hot to hold 
them, to migrate to America.” 

“ Captain Ducie is anxious to know whether Mr. Truck will 
quietly permit this criminal to be transferred to the Foam.” 

“ I do not think he will permit it at all without being over- 
powered, if the request be urged in any manner as a right. In 
that case, he will very properly think that the maintenance of 
his national character is of more importance than the escape of a 
dozen rogues. You may put a harsh construction on his course^ 
but I shall think him right in resisting an unjust and an illegal 
invasion of his rights. I had thought Captain Ducie, however, 
more peaceably disposed from what has passed. 

“ Perhaps I have expressed myself too strongly. I know he 
would wish to take back the criminal \ but I scarce think that 
he meditates more than persuasion. Ducie is a fine fellow, and 
every way a gentleman.” 

“ He appears to have found an acquaintance in our young 
friend, Powis.” 

“ The meeting between these two gentlemen has surprised 


508 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


me, for it can scarcely be termed amicable : and yet it seems to 
occupy more of Ducie’s thoughts just now than the affair of the 
runaway.” 

Both now became silent and thoughtful, for John Effingham 
had too many unpleasant suspicions to wish to speak, and the 
baronet was too generous to suggest a doubt concerning one 
whom he felt to be his rival, and whom, in truth, he had begun 
sincerely to respect, as well as to like. In the mean time, a 
discussion, which had gradually been growing more dogged and 
sullen on the part of Mr. Green, and more biting and caustic on 
that of Captain Truck, was suddenly terminated by the reluc- 
tant and tardy appearance of Mr. Sandon. 

“ Guilt, that powerful vindicator of the justice of Providence, 
as it proves the existence of the inward monitor, conscience, 
was painfully impressed on a countenance that, in general, ex- 
pressed little beyond a vacant vanity. Although of a tall and 
athletic person, his limbs trembled in a way to refuse to support 
him, and when he saw the well-known face of Mr. Green, the 
unhappy young man sank into a seat, from a real inability to 
stand. The other regarded him sternly through his spectacles, 
for more than a minute. 

“ This is a melancholy picture, Henry Sandon,” he at length 
said. “ I am, at least, glad that you do not affect to brazen out 
your crime, but that you show a proper sense of its enormity. 
What would your upright and pains-taking father have said, 
had he lived to see his only son in this situation ?” 

“ He is dead !” returned the young man, hoarsely. “ He is 
dead, and never can know any thing about it.” 

The unhappy delinquent experienced a sense of frightful 
pleasure as he uttered these words. 

“ It is true, he is dead ; but there are others to suffer by your 
misconduct. Your innocent sister is living, and feels all your 
disgrace.” 

“She will marry Jones, and forget it all. I gave her a 
thousand pounds, and she is married before this.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


509 


“ In that you are mistaken. She has returned the money, 
for she is, indeed, John Sandon’s daughter, and Mr. Jones re- 
fuses to marry the sister of a thief.” 

The delinquent was vain and unreflecting, rather than selflsh, 
and he had a natural attachment to his sister, the only other 
child of his parents. The blow, therefore, fell on his conscience 
with double force, coming from this quarter. 

“Julia can compel him to marry her,” said the startled 
brother ; “ he is bound by a solemn engagement, and the law 
will protect her.” 

“ No law can make a man marry against his will, and your 
poor unfortunate sister is too tender of your feelings, whatever 
you may have been of hers, to wish to give Mr. Jones an op- 
portunity of defending himself by exposing your crime. But 
this is wasting words, jVIr. Sandon, for I am wanted in the 
oflSce, where I have left things in the hands of an inexperienced 
substitute. Of course you are not prepared to defend an act 
that your conscience must tell you is inexcusable.” 

“ I am afraid, Mr. Green, I have been a little thoughtless ; or, 
perhaps, it would be better to say, unlucky.” 

Mr. Sandon had fallen into the general and delusive mistake 
of those who err, in supposing himself unfortunate rather than 
criminal. With an ingenuity that, exercised in a better cause, 
would have made him a respectable man, he had been endeav- 
oring to excuse his crime to himself, on various pleas of neces- 
sity, and he had even got at last to justify his act, by fancying 
that some trifling wrong he had . received, or which he fancied 
he had received, in the settlement of his own private account, 
in some measure excused his fraud, although his own denied 
claim amounted merely to the sum of twenty pounds, and that 
which he had taken was so large. It was under the influence 
of such feelings that he made the answer just given. 

“ A little thoughtless ! unlucky ! And is this the way, Henry 
Sandon, that you name a crime that might almost raise your 
upright father from his grave ? But I will speak no more of 


510 


homeward bound. 


feelings that you do not seem to understand. You confess to 
have taken forty thousand pounds of the public money, to which 
you have no right or claim ?” 

“ I certainly have in my hands some money, which I do not 
deny belongs to government.” 

“ It is well ; and here is my authority to receive it from you. 
Gentlemen, will you have the kindness to see that my powers 
are regular and authentic ?” 

John Effingham and others cast their eyes over the papers, 
which seemed to be in rule, and they said as much. 

“ Now, sir,” resumed Mr. Green, “ in the first place, I demand 
the bills you received in London for this money, and your reg- 
ular endorsement in my favor.” 

The culprit appeared to have made up his mind to this de- 
mand, and, with the same recklessness with which he had ap- 
propriated the money to his own use, he was now ready to 
restore it, without proposing a condition for his own safety. 
The bills were in his pocket, and seating himself at a table, he 
made the required endorsement, and handed them to Mr. Green. 

“ Here are bills for thirty-eight thousand pounds,” said that 
methodical person, after he had examined the drafts, one by 
one, and counted their amount ; “ and you are known to have 
taken forty thousand. I demand the remainder.” 

“Would you leave me in a strange country, penniless ?” ex- 
claimed the culprit, in a tone of reproach. 

“ Strange country ! penniless !” repeated Mr. Green, looking 
over his spectacles, first at Mr. Truck, and then at Mr. Sandon. 
“ That to which you have no claim must be restored, though it 
strip you to the skin. Every pound you have belongs to the 
public, and to no one else.” 

“Your pardon, Mr. Green, and green enough you are, if you 
lay down that doctrine,” interrupted Captain Truck, “ in which 
neither Vattel, nor the revised statutes, will bear you out. A 
passenger cannot remove his effects from a ship, until his pas- 
sage be first paid.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


611 


“ That, sir, I dispute, in a question affecting the king’s rev- 
enues. The claims of government precede all others, and the 
money that has once belonged to the crown, and which has not 
been regularly paid away by the crown, is the crown’s still.” 

“ Crowns and coronations ! Perhaps, Master Green, you 
think you are in Somerset House at this present speaking ?” 

Now Mr. Green was so completely a star of a confined orbit, 
that his ideas seldom described a tangent to their ordinary 
revolutions. He was so much accustomed to hear of England 
ruling colonies, the East and the West, Canada, the Cape, and 
New South Wales, that it was not an easy matter for him to 
conceive himself to be without the influence of the British laws. 
Had he quitted home with the intention to emigrate, or even 
to travel, it is probable that his mind would have kept a more 
equal pace with his body ; but summoned in haste from his desk, 
and with the office spectacles on his nose, it is not so much a 
matter of wonder that he hardly realized the truths of his pres- 
ent situation. The man-of-war, in which every thing was His 
Majesty’s, sustained this feeling, and it was too sudden a change 
to expect such a man to abandon all his most cherished notions 
at a moment’s warning. The irreverent exclamation of Cap- 
tain Truck shocked him, and he did not fail to show as much 
by the disgust pictured in his countenance. 

“I am in one of His Majesty’s packets, sir, I presume, where, 
you will permit me to say, a greater deference for the high 
ceremonies of the kingdom ought to be found.” 

“This would make even old Joe Bunk laugh. You are in a 
New York liner, sir, over which no majesty has any control, 
but their majesties John Griswold & Co. Why, my good sir, 
the sea has unsettled your brain !” 

Now, Mr. Green did know that the United States of America 
had obtained their independence, but the whole proceeding was 
so mixed up with rebellion, and a French alliance, in his mind, 
that he always doubted whether the new republic had a legal 
existence at all, and he had been heard to express his surprise 


512 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


that the twelve judges had not long since decided this state of 
things to be unconstitutional, and overturned the American 
government by mandamus. His disgust increased, accordingly, 
as Captain Truck’s irreverence manifested itself in stronger 
terms, and there was great danger that the harmony, which 
had hitherto prevailed between the parties, would be brought 
to a violent termination. 

“ The respect for the crown in a truly loyal subject, sir,” Mr. 
Green returned, sharply, “ is not to be unsettled by the sea ; 
not in my case, at least, whatever it might have been in your 
own.” 

“ My own ! why, the devil, sir, do you take me for a subject?^ 

“ A truant one, I fear, though you may have been born in 
Loudon itself.” 

“ Why, my dear sir,” said Captain Truck, taking the other 
by a button, as if he pitied his hallucination, “ you don’t breed 
such men in London. I came from the river, which never had 
a subject in it, or any other majesty than that of the Saybrook 
Platform. I begin to understand you, at last : you are one of 
those well-meaning men who fancy the earth but a casing to 
the island of Great Britain. Well, I suppose it is more the 
fault of your education than of your nature, and one must over- 
look the mistake. May I ask what is your farther wish, in 
reference to this unhappy young man ?” 

“ He must refund every pound of the public money that re- 
mains in his possession.” 

“ That is just, and I say, yea.” 

“ And all who have received from him any portion of 
this money, under whatever pretences, must restore it to the 
crown.” 

“ My good sir, you can have no notion of the quantity of 
champagne and other good things this unfortunate young man 
has consumed in this ship. Although but a sham baronet, he 
has fared like a real lord ; and you cannot have the heart to 
exact from the owners the keeping of your rogues.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


513 


“ Government makes no distinction, sir, and always claims its 
own.” 

“ Nay, Mr. Green,” interrupted Sir George Templemore, “ I 
much question if government would assert a right to money 
that a peculator or a defaulter fairly spends, even in England ; 
much less does it seem to me it can pretend to the few pounds 
that Captain Truck has lawfully earned.” 

“ The money has not been lawfully earned, sir. It is con- 
trary to law to assist a felon to quit the kingdom, and I am not 
certain there are no penalties for that act alone ; and as for the 
public money, it can never legally quit the treasury without the 
proper office forms.” 

“ My dear Sir George,” put in the captain, “ leave me to set- 
tle this with Mr. Green, who, no doubt, is authorized to give a 
receipt in full. What is to be done with the delinquent, sir, 
now that you are in possession of his money ?” 

“ Of course he will be carried back in the Foam, and I mourn 
to be compelled to say, that he must be left in the hands of the 
law.” 

“ What, with or without my permission ?” 

Mr. Green stared, for his mind was precisely one of those 
which would conceive it to be a high act of audacity in a 
ci-devant colonist to claim the rights of an old country, even 
did he really understand the legality and completeness of the 
separation. 

“ He has committed forgery, sir, to conceal his peculation. 
It is an awful crime ; but they that commit it cannot hope to 
escape the consequences.” 

“ Miserable impostor ! is this true ?” Captain Truck sternly 
demanded of the trembliug culprit. 

“He calls an oversight forgery, sir,” returned the latter, 
huskily. “I have done nothing to affect my life or liberty.” 

At this moment Captain Ducie, accompanied by Paul Powis, 
entered the cabin, their faces flushed, and their manner to each 
other a little disturbed, though it was formally courteous. At 
22 ^ 


514 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the same instant, Mr. Dodge, who had been dying to be pres- 
ent at the secret conference, watched his opportunity to slip 
in also. 

“ I am glad you have come, sir,” said Mr. Green, “ for here 
may be occasion for the services of his Majesty’s officers. Mr. 
Sandon has given up these bills, but two thousand pounds re- 
main unaccounted for, and I have traced thirty-five, quite 
clearly, to the master of this ship, who has received it in the 
way of passage-money.” 

“Yes, sir, the fact is as plain as the highlands of Navesink 
from the deck,” drily added Captain Truck. 

“ One thousand of this money has been returned by the de- 
faulter’s sister,” observed Captain Ducie. 

“ Very true, sir ; I had forgotten to give him credit for that.” 

“ The remainder has probably been wasted in those silly tri- 
fles of which you have told me the unhappy man was so fond, 
and for which he has bartered respectability and peace of 
mind. As for the money paid this ship for the passage, it has 
been fairly earned, nor do I know that government has any 
power to reclaim it.” 

Mr. Green heard this opinion with still greater disgust than 
he had felt towards the language of Captain Truck, nor could 
he very well prevent his feelings escaping him in words. 

“We truly live in perilous times,” he muttered, speaking 
more particularly to John Effingham, out of respect to his ap- 
pearance, “ when the scions of the nobility entertain notions so 
loose. We have vainly fancied in England that the enormities 
of the French revolution were neutralized by Billy Pitt ; but, 
sir, we still live in perilous times, for the disease has fairly 
reached the higher classes. I hear that designs are seriously 
entertained against the wigs of the judges and bishops, and the 
next thing will be the throne ! All our venerable institutions 
are in danger.” 

“ I should think the throne might indeed be in danger, sir,” 
returned John Effingham, gravely, “if it reposes on wigs.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


615 


“It is my duty, Captain Truck,” continued Captain Ducie, 
who was a man so very different from his associate that he 
scarcely seemed to belong to the same species, “ to request you 
will deliver to us the person of the culprit, with his effects, 
when we can relieve you and your passengers from the pain of 
witnessing any more of this unpleasant scene.” 

At the sound of the delivery of his person, all the danger of 
his situation rushed forcibly before the imagination of the cul- 
prit. His face flushed and became pale, and his legs refused to 
support him, though he made a desperate effort to rise. 

After an instant of silence, he turned to the commander of 
the corvette, and, in piteous accents, appealed to him for mercy. 

“ I have been punished severely already,” he continued, as 
his voice returned, “ for the savage Arabs robbed me of every 
thing I had of any value. These gentlemen know that they took 
my dressing-case, several other curious and valuable articles for 
the toilet, and nearly all my clothes.” 

“ This man is scarcely a responsible being,” said John Effing- 
ham, “ for a childish vanity supplies the place of principles, 
self-respect, and duty. With a sister scorned on account of 
his crimes, conviction beyond denial, and a dread punishment 
staring him in the face, his thoughts still run on trifles.” 

Captain Ducie gave a look of pity at the miserable young 
man, and, by his countenance, it was plain to see that he felt no 
relish for his duty. Still, he felt himself bound to urge on Cap- 
tain Truck a compliance with his request. The master of the 
packet was a good deal divided by an inherent dislike of seem- 
ing to yield any thing to a British naval officer, a class of men 
whom he learned in early life most heartily to dislike ; his kind 
feelings towards this particular specimen of the class ; a reluct- 
ance to give a man up to a probable death, or some other 
severe punishment ; and a distaste to being thought desirous of 
harboring a rogue. In this dilemma, therefore, he addressed 
himself to John Effingham for counsel. 

“ I should be pleased to hear your opinion, sir, on this mat- 


516 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


ter,” he said, looking at the gentleman just named, “ for I own 
myself to be in a category. Ought we, or not, to deliver up 
the culprit ?” 

Fiat justitia mat coelum'' answered John Effingham, who 
never fancied any one could be ignorant of the meaning of these 
familiar words. 

“That I believe indeed to he Vattel,” said Captain Truck ; 
“but exceptions alter rules. This young man has some 
claims on us on account of his conduct when in front of the 
Arabs.” 

“ He fought for himself, sir, and has the merit of preferring 
liberty in a ship to slavery in the desert.” 

“ I think with Mr. John Effingham,” observed Mr. Dodge, 
“ and can see no redeeming quality in his conduct on that oc- 
casion. He did what we all did ; or, as Mr. John Effingham 
has so pithily expressed it, he preferred liberty in our company 
to being an Arab’s slave.” 

“You will not deliver me up. Captain Truck!” exclaimed 
the delinquent. “ They will hang me, if once in their power. 
Oh 1 you will not have the heart to let them hang me !” 

Captain Truck was startled at this appeal, hut he sternly re- 
minded the culprit that it was too late to remember the pun- 
ishment when the crime was committed. 

“ Never fear, Mr. Sandon,” said the office-man with a sneer ; 
“ these gentlemen will take you to New York, for the sake of 
the thousand pounds^ if they can. A rogue is pretty certain of 
a kind reception in America, I hear.” 

“ Then, sir,” exclaimed Captain Truck, “ you had better go 
in with us.” 

“ Mr. Green, Mr. Green, this is indiscreet, to call it by no 
worse a term,” interposed Captain Ducie, who, while he was 
not free from a good deal of the prejudices of his companion, 
was infinitely better bred, and more in the habit of command- 
ing himself. 

“Mr. John Effingham, you have heard this wanton insult,” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


617 


continued Captain Truck, suppressing his wrath as well as he 
could : “ in what manner ought it to be resented ?” 

“ Command the offender to quit your ship instantly,” said 
John Effingham firmly. 

Captain Ducie started, and his face fiushed ; but disregarding 
him altogether, Captain Truck walked deliberately up to Mr. 
Green, and ordered him to go into the corvette’s boat. 

“ I shall allow of neither parley nor delay,” added the ex- 
asperated old seaman, struggling to appear cool and dignified, 
though his vocation was little for the latter. “ Do me the favor, 
sir, to permit me to see you into your boat, sir. Saunders, go 
on deck, and tell Mr. Leach to have the side manned — with 
three side boys, Saunders; — and now I ask it as the greatest 
possible favor, that you will walk on deck with me, or — or — 
damn me, but I’ll drag you there, neck and heels !” 

It was too much for Captain Ti’uck to seem calm when he 
was in a towering passion, and the outbreak at the close of this 
speech was accompanied by a gesture with a hand which was 
open, it is true, but from which none of the arts of his more 
polite days could erase the knobs and hue that had been ac- 
quired in early life. 

“ This is strong language, sir, to use to a British officer, under 
the guns of a British cruiser,” exclaimed the commander of the 
corvette. 

“ And his was strong language to use to a man in his own 
country and in his own ship. To you. Captain Ducie, I have 
nothing to say, unless it be to say you are welcome. But your 
companion has indulged in a coarse insult on my country, and 
damn me if I submit to it, if I never see St. Catherine’s Docks 
again. I had too much of this when a young man, to wish to 
find it repeated while an old one.” 

Captain Ducie bit his lip, and he looked exceedingly vexed. 
Although he had himself blindly imbibed the notion that Ame- 
rica would gladly receive the devil himself if he came with a 
full pocket, he was shocked with the coarseness that would 


518 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


throw such an inuendo into the very faces of the people of the 
country. On the other hand, his pride as an officer was hurt 
at the menace of Captain Truck, and all the former harmony 
of the scene was threatened with a sudden termination. Cap- 
tain Ducie had been struck with the gentlemanlike appearance 
of both the Effinghams, to say nothing of Eve, the instant his 
foot touched the deck of the Montauk, and he now turned with 
a manner of reproach to John EflBngham, and said, — 

“ Surely, sir, you cannot sustain Mr. Truck in his extraordi- 
nary conduct !” 

“ You will pardon me if I say I do. The man has been per- 
mitted to remain longer in the ship than I would have suffered.” 

“ And, Mr. Powis, what is your opinion ?” 

“I fear,” said Paul, smiling coldly, “that I should have 
knocked him down on the spot.” 

“ Templemore, are you, too, of this way of thinking ?” 

“ I fear the speech of Mr. Green has been without sufficient 
thought. On reflection he will recall it.” 

But Mr. Green would sooner part with life than part with a 
prejudice, and he shook his head in the negative in a way to 
• show that his mind was made up. 

“ This is trifling,” added Captain Truck. “ Saunders, go on 
deck, and tell Mr. Leach to send down through the skylight a 
single whip, that we may whip this polite personage on deck ; 
and, harkee, Saunders, let there be another on the yard, that 
we may send him into his boat like an anker of gin !” 

“This is proceeding too far,” said Captain Ducie. “Mr. 
Green, you will oblige me by retiring ; there can be no suspicion 
cast on a vessel of war for conceding a little to an unarmed ship.” 

“ A vessel of war should not insult an unarmed ship, sir !” 
rejoined Captain Truck, pithily. 

Captain Ducie again colored ; but as he had decided on his 
course, he had the prudence to remain silent. In the mean 
time Mr. Green sullenly took his hat and papers, and withdrew 
into the boat ; though, on his return to London, he did not fail 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


519 


to give such a version of the affair as went altogether to cor- 
roborate all his own, and his friends’ previous notions of Ame- 
rica ; and, what is equally singular, he religiously believed all 
he had said on the occasion. 

“ What is now to be done with this unhappy man ?” inquired 
Captain Ducie when order was a little restored. 

The misunderstanding was an unfortunate affair for the 
culprit. Captain Truck felt a strong reluctance to deliver him 
up to justice after all they had gone through together; but 
the gentlemanlike conduct of the English commander, the con- 
sciousness of having triumphed in the late conflict, and a deep 
regard for the law, united on the other hand to urge him to 
yield the unfortunate and weak-minded offender to his own 
authorities. 

“You do not claim a right to take him out of an American 
ship by violence, if I understand you. Captain Ducie ?” 

“ I do not. My instructions are merely to demand him.” 

“That is according to Vattel. By demand you mean, to re- 
quest, to ask for him ?” 

“ I mean to request, to ask for him,” returned the English- 
man, smiling. 

“ Then take him, of God’s name ; and may your laws be 
more merciful to the wretch than he has been to himself, or to 
his kin.” 

Mr. Sandon shrieked, and he threw himself abjectly on his 
knees between the two captains, grasping the legs of both. 

“ Oh ! hear me ! hear me !” he exclaimed in a tone of anguish. 
“ I have given up the money, I will give it all up ! all to the 
last shilling, if you will let me go ! You, Captain Truck, by 
whose side I have fought and toiled, you will not have the 
heart to abandon me to these murderers !” 

« It’s d d hard !” muttered the captain, actually wiping 

his eyes ; “ but it is what you have drawn upon yourself, I fear. 
Get a good lawyer, my poor fellow, as soon as you arrive ; and 
it’s an even chance, after all, that you go free !” 


520 


H O M E-W ARD BOUND. 


“ Miserable wretch !” said Mr. Dodge, confronting the still 
kneeling and agonized delinquent. “Wretch! these are the 
penalties of guilt. You have forged and stolen, acts that meet 
with my most unqualified disapprobation, and you are unfit for 
respectable society. I saw from the very first what you truly 
were, and permitted myself to associate with you, merely to 
detect and expose you, in order that you might not bring dis- 
grace on our beloved country. An impostor has no chance in 
America ; and you are fortunate in being taken back to your 
own hemisphere.” 

Mr. Dodge belonged to a tolerably numerous class, that is 
quaintly described as being “ law honest that is to say, he 
neither committed murder nor petty larceny. When he was 
guilty of moral slander, he took great care that it should not 
be legal slander ; and, although his whole life was a tissue of 
mean and baneful vices, he was quite innocent of all those 
enormities that usually occupy the attention of a panel of twelve 
men. This, in his eyes, raised him so far above less prudent 
sinners as to give him a right to address his quondam associate 
as has been just related. But the agony of the culprit was 
past receiving an increase from this brutal attack ; he merely 
motioned the coarse-minded sycophant and demagogue away, 
and continued his appeals to the two captains for mercy. At 
this moment Paul Powis stepped up to the editor, and in a low 
but firm voice ordered him to quit the cabin. 

“ I will pray for you — be your slave — do all you ask, if you 
will not give me up 1” continued the culprit, fairly writhing in 
his agony. “ Oh ! Captain Ducie, as an English nobleman, 
have mercy on me.” 

“ I must transfer the duty to subordinates,” said the English 
commander, a tear actually standing in his eye. “ Will you 
permit a party of armed marines to take this unhappy being 
from your ship, sir ?” 

“ Perhaps this will be the best course, as he will yield only to a 
show of force. I see no objection to this, Mr. John Effingham ?” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


521 


“ None in the world, sir. It is your object to clear your 
ship of a delinquent, and let those among whom he committed 
the fault be the agents.” 

“Ay — ay! this is what Yattel calls the comity of nations. 
Captain Ducie, I beg you will issue your orders.” 

The English commander had foreseen some difficulty, and, 
in sending away his boat when he came below, he had sent for 
a corporal’s guard. These men were now in a cutter, near the 
ship, lying off on their oars, in a rigid respect to the rights of 
a stranger, however, — as Captain Truck was glad to see, the 
whole party having gone on deck as soon as the arrangement 
was settled. At an order from their commander the marines 
boarded the Montauk, and proceeded below in quest of their 
prisoner. 

Mr. Sandon had been left alone in Eve’s cabin ; but as soon 
as he found himself at liberty, he hurried into his own state- 
room. Captain Truck went below, while the marines were en- 
tering the ship ; and, having passed a minute in his own room, 
he stepped across the cabin, to that of the culprit. Opening 
the door without knocking, he found the unhappy man in the 
very act of applying a pistol to his head, his own hand being 
just in time to prevent the catastrophe. The despair portrayed 
in the face of the criminal prevented reproach or remonstrance, 
for Captain Truck was a man of few words when it was neces- 
sary to act. Disarming the intended suicide, he coolly count- 
ed out to him thirty-five pounds, the money paid for his pas- 
sage, and told him to pocket it. 

“I received this on condition of delivering you safe in New 
York,” he said ; “ and as I shall fail in the bargain, I think it 
no more than just to return you the money. It may help you 
on the trial.” 

“ Will they hang me ?” asked Mr. Sandon hoarsely, and with 
an imbecility like that of an infant. 

The appearance of the marines prevented reply, the prisonei 
was secured, his effects were pointed out, and his person was 


522 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


transferred to the boat with the usual military promptitude. 
As soon as this was done the cutter pulled away from the 
packet, and was soon hoisted in again on the corvette’s deck. 
That day month the unfortunate victim of a passion for trifles 
committed suicide in London, just as they were about to trans- 
fer him to Newgate ; and six months later his unhappy sister 
died of a broken heart. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


623 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

“ We’ll attend you there : 
Where, if you bring not Marcius, we’ll proceed 
In our first way.” 

COEIOLANTTS. 


Eve and Mademoiselle Viefville had been unwilling specta- 
tors of a portion of the foregoing scene, and Captain Ducie felt 
a desire to apologize for the part he had been obliged to act in 
it. For this purpose he had begged his friend the baronet to 
solicit a more regular introduction than that received through 
Captain Truck. 

“ My friend Ducie is solicitous to be introduced, Miss EflBng- 
ham, that he may urge something in his own behalf concern- 
ing the commotion he has raised among us.” 

A graceful assent brought the young commander forward, 
and as soon as he was named he made a very suitable expres- 
sion of his regret to the ladies, who received it as a matter of 
course, favorably. 

“ This is a new duty to me, the arrest of criminals,” added 
Captain Ducie. 

The word criminals sounded harsh to the ear of Eve, and 
she felt her cheek becoming pale. 

“ Much as we regret the cause,” observed the father, “ we 
can spare the person you are about to take from us without 
much pain ; for we have known him for an impostor from the 
moment he appeared. Is there not some mistake ? That is 
the third trunk that I have seen passed into the boat marked 
P. P.” 


024 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


Captain Ducie smiled, and answered, — 

“You will call it a bad pun if I say P. P. see,” pointing to 
Paul, who was coming from the cabin attended by Captain 
Truck. The latter was conversing warmly, gesticulating to- 
wards the corvette, and squeezing his companion’s hand. 

“ Am I to understand,” said Mr. Effingham earnestly, “ that 
Mr. Powis, too, is to quit us ?” 

“ He does me the favor, also,” — Captain Ducie’s lip curled a 
little at the word favor ^ — “ to accompany me to England.” 

Good breeding and intense feeling caused a profound silence, 
until the young man himself approached the party. Paul en- 
deavored to be calm, and he even forced a smile as he address- 
ed his friends. 

“ Although I escape the honors of a marine guard,” he said, 

— and Eve thought he said it bitterly, “ I am also to be taken 
out of the ship. Chance has several times thrown me into 
your society, Mr. Effingham — Miss Effingham — and, should the 
same good fortune ever again occur, I hope I may be permitted 
to address you at once as an old acquaintance.” 

“We shall always entertain a most grateful recollection 
of your important services, Mr. Powis,” returned the father; 

“and I shall not cease to wish that the day may soon ar- 
rive when I can have the pleasure of receiving you under my 
own roof.” • 

Paul now offered to take the hand of Mademoiselle Vief- 
ville, which he kissed gallantly. He did the same with Eve’s, 
though she felt him tremble in the attempt. As these ladies 
had lived much in countries in which this graceful mode of 
salutation prevails among intimates, the act passed as a matter 
of course. 

With Sir George Templemore, Paul parted with every sign 
of good-will. The people, to whom he had caused a liberal 
donation to be made, gave him three cheers, for they under- 
stood his professional merits at least ; and Saunders, who had 
not been forgotten, attended him assiduously to the side of the 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


525 


ship. Here Mr. Leach called, “ the Foam’s away !” and Cap- 
tain Ducie’s gig was manned. At the gangway Captain Truck 
again shook Paul cordially by the hand, and whispered some- 
thing in his ear. 

Every thing being now ready, the two gentlemen prepared 
to go into the boat. As Eve watched all that passed with an 
almost breathless anxiety, a little ceremonial that now took 
place caused her much pain. Hitherto the manner of Captain 
Ducie, as respected his companion, had struck her as equivo- 
cal. At times it was haughty and distant, while at others it 
had appeared more conciliatory and kind. All these little 
changes she had noted with a jealous interest, and the slightest 
appearance of respect or of disrespect was remarked, as if it 
could furnish a clue to the mystery of the whole procedure. 

“ Your boat is ready, sir,” said Mr. Leach, stepping out 
of the gangway to give way to Paul, who stood nearest to the 
ladder. 

The latter was about to proceed, when he was touched light- 
ly on the shoulder by Captain Ducie, who smiled. Eve thought 
haughtily, and intimated a desire to precede him. Paul color- 
ed, bowed, and falling back, permitted the English oflBcer to 
enter his own boat first. 

“ Apparemment ce capitaine Anglais est un pen sa7is fagon — 
Voila qui est poli /” whispered Mademoiselle Viefville. 

“ These commanders of vessels of war are little kings,” quiet- 
ly observed Mr. Effingham, who had unavoidably noticed the 
whole procedure. 

The gig was soon clear of the ship, and both the gentlemen 
repeated their adieus to those on deck. To reach the corvette, 
to enter her, and to have the gig swinging on her quarter oc- 
cupied but five minutes. 

Both ships now filled away, and the corvette began to throw 
out one sheet of cloth after another until she was under a cloud 
of canvas, again standing to the eastward with studding-sails 
alow and aloft. On the other hand, the Montauk laid her 


526 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


yards square, and ran down to the Hook. The pilot from the 
corvette had been sent on board the packet, and, the wind 
standing, by eleven o’clock the latter had crossed the bar. At 
this moment the low dark stern of the Foam resembled a small 
black spot on the sea sustaining a pyramid of cloud. 

“You were not on deck, John, to take leave of our young 
friend Powis,” said Mr. Effingham, reproachfully. 

“ I do not wish to witness a ceremony of this extraordinary 
nature. And yet it might have been better if I had.” 

“ Better, cousin Jack !” 

“ Better. Poor Monday committed to my care certain pa- 
pers that, I fancy, are of moment to some one, and these I in- 
trusted to Mr. Powis, with a view to examine them together 
when we should get in. In the hurry of parting, he has car- 
ried them off.” 

“ They may be reclaimed by writing to London,” said Mr. 
Effingham quietly. “ Have you his address ?” 

“ I asked him for it, but the question appeared to embarrass 
him.” 

“ Embarrass, cousin Jack !” 

“ Embarrass, Miss Effingham.’ 

The subject was now dropped by common consent. A few 
moments of awkward silence succeeded, when the interest in- 
separable from a return home, after an absence of years, began 
to resume its influence, and objects on the land were noticed. 
The sudden departure of Paul was not forgotten, however, for 
it continued the subject of wonder with all for weeks, though 
little more was said on the subject. 

The ship was soon abreast of the Hook, which Eve com- 
pared, to the disadvantage of the celebrated American haven, 
with the rocky promontories and picturesque towers of the 
Mediterranean. 

“ This portion of our bay, at least, is not very admirable,” 
she said, “though there is a promise of something better 
above.” 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


527 


“Some New York cockney, who has wandered from the 
crackling heat of his Nott stove, has taken it into his poetical 
imagination to liken this bay to that of Naples,” said John 
Effingham ; “ and his fellow-citizens greedily swallow the ab- 
surdity, although there is scarcely a single feature in common 
to give the foolish opinion value.” 

“ But the bay above is beautiful !” 

“ Barely pretty ; when one has seen it alone, for many 
years, and has forgotten the features of other bays, it does not 
appear amiss; but you^ fresh from the bolder landscapes of 
Southern Europe, will be disappointed.” 

Eve, an ardent admirer of nature, heard this with regret, for 
she had as much confidence in the taste of her kinsman as in 
his love of truth. She knew he was superior to the vulgar 
vanity of giving an undue merit to a thing because he had a 
right of property in it ; was a man of the world, and knew 
what he uttered on all such matters ; had not a particle of pro- 
vincial admiration or of provincial weakness in his composition ; 
and, although as ready as another, and far more able than 
most, to defend his country and her institutions from the rude 
assault of her revilers, that he seldom made the capital mistake 
of attempting to defend a weak point. 

The scenery greatly improved, in fact, however, as the ship 
advanced; and while she went through the pass called the 
Narrows, Eve expressed her delight. Mademoiselle Viefville 
was in ecstasies, not so much with the beauties of the place as 
with the change from the monotony of the ocean to the move- 
ment and liveliness of the shore. 

“You think this noble scenery?” said John Effingham. 

“ As far from it as possible, cousin Jack. I see much mean- 
ness and poverty in the view, but at the same time it has 
fine parts. The islands are not Italian, certainly; nor these 
hills, nor yet that line of distant rocks; but, together, they 
form a pretty bay, and a noble one in extent and uses, at 
least.” 


528 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


“ All this is true. Perhaps the earth does not contain an- 
other port with so many advantages for commerce. In this 
respect I think it positively unequalled ; but I know a hundred 
bays that surpass it in beauty. Indeed, in the Mediterranean 
it is not easy to find a natural haven that does not.” 

Eve was too fresh from the gorgeous coast of Italy to be in 
ecstasies with the meager villages and villas that, more or less, 
lined the bay of New York ; but when they reached a point 
where the view of the two rivers, separated by the town, came 
before them, with the heights of Brooklyn — heights compara- 
tively if not positively — on one side, and the receding wall of 
the palisadoes on the other, Eve insisted that the scene was 
positively fine. 

“ You have well chosen your spot,” said John Effingham ; 
“ but even this is barely good. There is nothing surpassing 
about it.” 

“But it is home, cousin Jack.” 

“ It is home^ Miss Effingham,” he answered, gaping ; “ and 
as you have no cargo to sell, I fear you will find it an exceed- 
ingly dull one.” 

“We shall see — we shall see,” returned Eve, laughing. 
Then, looking about her for a few minutes, she added, with a 
manner in which real and affected vexation were prettily 
blended, “ In one thing I do confess myself disappointed.” 

“You will be happy, my dear, if it be in only one.” 

“ These smaller vessels are less picturesque than those I have 
been accustomed to see.” 

“ You have hit upon a very sound criticism, and, by going a 
little deeper into the subject, you will discover a singular defi- 
ciency in this part of an American landscape. The great 
height of the spars of all the smaller vessels of these waters, 
when compared with the tame and level coast, river banks, 
and the formation of the country in general, has the effect 
to diminish still more the outlines of any particular scene. 
Beautiful as it is, beyond all competition, the Hudson would 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


529 


seem still more so, were it not for these high and ungainly- 
spars.” 

The pilot now began to shorten sail, and the ship drew into 
that arm of the sea which, by a misnomer peculiarly American, 
it is the fashion to call the East River. Here our heroine can- 
didly expressed her disappointment, the town seeming mean 
and insignificant. The Battery, of which she remembered a 
little, and had heard so much, although beautifully placed, dis- 
appointed her, for it had neither the extent and magnificence 
of a park nor the embellishments and luxurious shades of a 
garden. As she had been told that her countrymen were al- 
most ignorant of the art of landscape gardening, she was not so 
much disappointed with this spot, however, as with the air of 
the town, and the extreme filth and poverty of the quays. Un- 
willing to encourage John EflSngham in his disposition to cen- 
sure, she concealed her opinions for a time. 

“There is less improvement here than even I expected,” 
said Mr. EflSngham, as they got into a coach on the wharf. 
“ They had taught me, John, to expect great improvements.” 

“ And great, very great improvements have been made in 
your absence. If you could see this place as you knew it in 
youth, the alterations would seem marvellous.” 

“ I cannot admit this. With Eve, I think the place mean 
in appearance, rather than imposing, and so decidedly provin- 
cial as not to possess a single feature of a capital.” 

“ The two things are not irreconcilable, Ned, if you will take 
the trouble to tax your memory. The place is mean and pro- 
vincial, but thirty years since it was still meaner and more 
provincial than it is to-day. A century hence it will begin to 
resemble a large European town.” 

“ What odious objects these posts are !” cried Eve. 

“ They give the streets the air of a village, and I do not see 
their uses.” 

“These posts are for awnings, and of themselves they prove 
23 


530 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


the peculiar country character of the place. If you will re- 
flect, however, you will see it could not well be otherwise. 
This town to-day contains near three hundred thousand souls, 
two-thirds of whom are in truth emigrants from the interior of 
our own or of some foreign country ; and such a collection of 
people cannot in a day give a town any other character than 
that which belongs to themselves. It is not a crime to be pro- 
vincial and rustic ; it is only ridiculous to fancy yourselves 
otherwise, when the fact is apparent.” 

“ The streets seem deserted. I had thought New York a 
crow^ded town.” 

“ And yet this is Broadway — a street that every American 
will tell you is so crowded as to render respiration impossible.” 

“John Efiingham excepted,” said Mr. Effingham, smiling. 

“ Is this Broadway ?” cried Eve, fairly appalled. 

“Beyond a question. Are you not smothered?” 

Eve continued silent until the carriage reached the door of 
her fathers house. On the other hand. Mademoiselle Viefville 
expressed herself delighted with all she saw — a circumstance 
that might have deceived a native of the country, who did not 
know how to explain her raptures. In the first place she was 
a French woman, and accustomed to say pleasant things; 
then she was just relieved from an element she detested, and 
the land was pleasant in her eyes. But the principal reason 
is still in reserve : Mademoiselle Viefville, like most Europeans, 
had regarded America not merely as a provincial country, and 
this without a high standard of civilization for a province, as 
the truth would have shown, but as a semi-barbarous quarter 
of the world ; and the things she saw so much surpassed her 
expectations that she was delighted, as it might be, by con- 
trast. 

As we shall have a future occasion to speak of the dwelling 
of Mr. Effingham, and to accompany the reader much farther 
in the histories of our several characters, we shall pass over 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


531 


the feelings of Eve when fairly established that night under 
her own roof. The next morning, however, when she de- 
scended to breakfast, she was met by John Effingham, who 
gravely pointed to the following paragraph in one of the daily 
journals : 

“ The Montauk, London packet, which has been a little out 
of time, arrived yesterday, as reported in our marine news. 
This ship has met with various interesting adventures, that, we 
are happy to hear, will shortly be laid before the world by one 
of her passengers, a gentleman every way qualified for the 
task. Among the distinguished persons arrived in this ship is 
our contemporary. Steadfast Dodge, Esquire, whose amusing 
and instructing letters from Europe are already before the 
world. We are glad to hear that Mr. Dodge returns home 
better satisfied than ever with his own country, which he declares 
to be quite good enough for him. It is whispered that our 
literary friend has played a conspicuous part in some recent 
events on the coast of Africa, though his extreme and well- 
known modesty renders him indisposed to speak of the affair ; 
but we forbear ourselves, out of respect to a sensibility that we 
know how to esteem ! 

“ His Britannic Majesty’s ship. Foam, whose arrival we noticed 
a day or two since, boarded the Montauk off the Hook, and 
took out of her two criminals, one of whom, we are told, was 
a defaulter for one hundred and forty thousand pounds, and the 
other a deserter from the king’s service, though a scion of a 
noble house. More of this to-morrow.” 

The morrow never came, for some new incident took the place 
of the promised narration : a people who do not give them- 
selves time to eat, and with whom “ go ahead” has got to be the 
substitute of even religion, little troubling themselves to go back 
twenty-four hours in search of a fact. 

“This must be a base falsehood, cousin Jack,” said Eve, 
as she laid down the paper, her brow flushed with an iudigna- 


532 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


tion that, for the mome'iit, proved too strong for even appre- 
hension. 

“ I hope it may turn out to he so, and yet I consider the affair 
sufficiently singular to render suspicion at least natural.” 

How Eve both thought and acted in the matter, will appear 
hereafter. 


THE END. 



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